Three Alternatives to Qatar Airways at Barcelona
Jan 20, 2016, by Pat
In the light of slow-going negotiations with Qatar Airways, FC Barcelona has decided to look for alternatives, according to a report in RAC1, a local radio station with good links to the club.
Barcelona to Sign New Shirt Sponsor
Barcelona's 16-17 kit will return to stripes, but who will be the sponsor?
Although the report does not rule out a renewal with current Barcelona kit sponsor Qatar Airways, this outcome is looking less and less likely every day. Instead, the club reportedly is looking for alternatives to the Doha-based airline and has found three unnamed companies which are willing to pay similar amounts to what the club and Qatar Airways initially agreed to.
One interesting detail about the three possible Barcelona shirt sponsors was revealed however. RAC1 claims that all three are based on different continents, America, Europe and Asia, to be specific.
The new deal would rank Barcelona's shirt sponsorship somewhere around the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United who earn more than £40 million a year each.
Highest-valued Sponsorship Deals in European football
| Club | Sponsor | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester United | Chevrolet | £47m |
| Chelsea | Yokohama Rubber | £40m |
| Arsenal | Emirates | £30m |
| Liverpool | Standard Chartered | £30m |
| Bayern Munich | Deutsche Telekom | £23.6m (€32m) |
| Barcelona | Qatar Airways | £23.4m (€31.8m) |
| Real Madrid | Emirates | £22m (€30m) |
A return to the once famous blank chest or a charitable sponsor like Unicef isn't on the cards, simply because of the hole a loss of the current €31 million a year jersey sponsorship would leave in the club's accounts.
It was also reported that negotiations with Nike are going well and an agreement to extend the current contract with the Swoosh is close. Nike has been Barcelona's shirt producer since the late 1990s and the current deal runs until the end of the 2017-18 season.
What's your guess about the three possible Barcelona shirt sponsors for next season? Let us know in the comments below.
Bayern München 26-27 Oktoberfest Kit Spotted for Sale
The upcoming Adidas Bayern München 26-27 Oktoberfest jersey has been spotted hanging on retail racks ahead of its official launch in September.
Moving away from the club's traditional Bavarian-inspired palettes and subtle motifs of previous years, the new Wiesn shirt introduces a radical look featuring a vibrant, multicolored abstract graphic set against a black base. The energetic design is complemented by off-white Three Stripes on the shoulders, the classic Adidas Trefoil logo, an ornate heritage Bayern Munich crest, and cream sponsor detailing.
Bukayo Saka and Yan Diomande Debut Whiteout New Balance Furon V9 Boots
Arsenal talisman Bukayo Saka and Real Madrid signing Yan Diomande have both taken to the pitch wearing all-white New Balance Furon V9 boots at the start of the 26-27 campaign. Thanks to @volkyfootballboots.v2 for spotting.
As two of the primary headline athletes for New Balance's flagship speed silo, their synchronized switch away from standard on-pitch colorways to a whiteout look points toward an upcoming limited-edition pack or special release from the American brand in the near future.
It’s normal that brands hide their new flagship-shoes with a whiteout colorway until their release takes place officially, so competitors can’t already get an early glimpse into their newest design.
FC Vizela 26-27 Away Kit Released
Liga Portugal 2 side FC Vizela has officially launched its new away kit for the 26-27 campaign, manufactured by Kappa. The jersey introduces a black base complemented by vibrant light blue accents across the V-neck collar, sleeve cuffs, and club crest. A standout element of the design is Kappa's signature Omini logo tape running down the side panels, paired with monochrome light blue sponsor detailing for a cohesive look.