June 13 – LaLiga champions Barcelona have ended a 16-year merchandising rights deal with Nike to form a new company which will manage the club’s retail, licensing and merchandising activity.
Currently the merchandising business has a turnover of $77 million and includes three of the club’s own stores, 15 licensed stores, 328 licensees and employs 250 people.
Currently operating as FCBMerchandising, the newly-formed Barça Licensing and Merchandising will take over the rights on July 1.
“This new approach pursues several objectives: greater economic profitability, direct control of the brand, the possibility of offering our fans a 100 per cent Barça experience, and a boost to innovation and new technologies,” said a club statement.
The club are not cutting ties with Nike completely, the US appareil giant starts a new eight-year deal in July as the club’s kit supplier, taking them through to the 2025/26 season.
Contact the writer of this story at paul.nicholson@insideworldfootball.com