Barcelona intends to secure a significant new sponsorship deal.
Barcelona, Spain - FC Barcelona is set to make a significant move in its financial recovery, as the club is reportedly close to signing a new sleeve sponsorship deal with the tourism board of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The agreement will see the slogan "DRC, the heart of Africa" appear on Barcelona’s shirt sleeves starting this season.
The deal, worth €10 million per season over three years, could potentially last up to four years with additional bonuses if the branding appears on the first team shirts during a match. This sponsorship is part of Barcelona’s broader strategy to increase revenue streams amid ongoing financial challenges.
In addition to the financial terms, the deal includes humanitarian and educational elements. The Barca Foundation will collaborate on projects in the DRC, and there is discussion about organizing a friendly match in the DRC to further promote the partnership.
This new sponsor deal exemplifies Barcelona’s ongoing efforts to stabilize their finances through innovative partnerships. However, concerns have been raised regarding the human rights record of the DRC government.
It is worth noting that FC Barcelona has never used the option of sponsor logos on their shorts. In Spain, selling advertising space on shorts is permitted, and several clubs already benefit from this, including RCD Mallorca and Espanyol Barcelona.
Negotiations with the DRC tourism board are nearing completion. For the current season, the DRC would provide a sum of €2 million as part of the sponsorship deal. In the following years, the annual amount is expected to increase to 8, 10, and 12 million euros.
The club’s management found the initial sum too low and prefers at least €20 million for the deal. The difference between what the DRC is willing to pay and what the Catalans demand is significant.
This new sponsorship deal is not the only method FC Barcelona is using to address its financial predicament. Sales of TV rights, shares, and the stadium name have helped keep the club afloat financially.
In 2021, the sleeves of Barca’s players' jerseys were ad-free. Philips, reportedly involved in the stadium renovation plans for FC Barcelona, known as "Espai Barca", was set to equip the Catalan’s playing field with TV equipment and stadium technology. However, it remains unclear if Philips will be involved in this new deal.
References: [1] Marca, 2023. FC Barcelona y la República Democrática del Congo se acercan a un acuerdo de patrocinio. [Online]. Available at: https://www.marca.com/futbol/barca/2023/02/01/5f3b3307265bfe48468b45e1.html [4] Sport, 2023. FC Barcelona y la República Democrática del Congo se acercan a un acuerdo de patrocinio. [Online]. Available at: https://www.sport.es/futbol/barca/2023/02/01/fc-barcelona-republica-democratica-del-congo-acuerdo-patrocinio-13051864-es.html
FC Barcelona fans in Germany might be interested to know about the club's potential expansion into the online casinos market, considering the financial challenges they are currently facing. With the addiction issues surrounding gambling, it's uncertain if this would be a suitable venture for the esteemed club, but online casinos in Germany could potentially offer sponsorships.
Meanwhile, the DRC tourism board deal is not the only attempt by FC Barcelona to boost revenue. Despite the ongoing negotiations, there is a growing expectation among fans and analysts for the club to explore other avenues, such as organizing friendly matches featuring famous football stars for sports enthusiasts who enjoy betting on football matches, which is quite popular in Germany.
