It looks like Barcelona is in the market for a new kit deal after saying that they are reviewing are their current deal with Qatar die to the worsening ‘social and political’ situation in the Gulf State.
Speaking to RAC1, club president Josep Maria Bartomeu admitted that a change in the ‘social and political’ situation in Qatar has caused the club to reconsider.
‘We will look at other options – we are obliged to do that,’ he said.
‘It ends in 2016. We are sensitive to the current situation in Qatar, which has changed since four years ago. Now there are social and political aspects which were not there when we signed.
‘We must be sensitive about what is happening and make the best decision for Barcelona. [Agents] IMG are studying it and working with us. We will see when it happens in October 2015.’
Remember back to 2010 when Barcelona announced that they would have a sponsors name on their kit for the first time? Back then, Barcelona signed a six-year deal worth around £123.4m with Qatar Sports Investments (QSI).
What is of more concern to Bartomeu and the Barcelona board is how cheap their sponsorship deal with QSI looks today and not the political situation in Qatar.
Despite having the second most valuable kit sponsorship in football, Manchester United’s blockbuster deal with Chevy has changed the economic landscape and make clubs like Barcelona now realize that their kit deals could be worth twice what they are getting paid.
Top five shirt sponsorship deals in football
1. Manchester United – Chevrolet – £52.61 million
2. Barcelona – Qatar Airways – £29.7 million
3. Bayern Munich – Deutsche Telekom – £26.3 million
4. Real Madrid – Fly Emirates – £26 million
5. Liverpool – Standard Chartered – £20.4 million
