Barcelona Extends Rakuten Deal For One Year Until 2022 - Less Money As Deal 'Optimized' For Post-Pandemic Era?

Nov 6, 2020

by Chris

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FC Barcelona and Rakuten today announced that they have extended their deal for the 2021-122 season, exercising the option contained in the original agreement.

The existing Rakuten x Barça contract was worth €55 million (US$64 million) annually, signed in 2016.

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FC Barcelona and Rakuten, Inc., a global leader in internet services headquartered in Japan, decided on October 9, 2020, to exercise the option included in the original agreement launched in 2017 to extend their partnership for an additional season, once the initial term of the contract expires on June 30, 2021. This means that Barça and Rakuten are reaffirming their alliance at a time marked by the social and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, extending the partnership to June 30, 2022.

It also means that Rakuten will remain as FC Barcelona’s Main Global Partner and Global Innovation and Entertainment Partner, and its brand name will continue to appear on the front of the first team shirt in the 2021-22 season.

While no financial details have been disclosed, the club's statement says that "the assets included in the extension will be optimized to be more suitable and aligned to the circumstances of the post-pandemic era".

Mundo Deportivo reported in August that both Rakuten and Beko were looking to continue their deals at a reduced price.