Barcelona president accuses Nike of 'breaching contract' amid reports of new kit manufacturer talks

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has accused Nike of breaching their kit manufacturing contract with the club.

Nike first signed with Barcelona in 1998 and have produced the club's kits ever since, most recently agreeing a 12-year deal back in 2016 that is due to run until 2028 and worth close to £130m annually.

Over the past few months, there have been plenty of reports suggesting Barcelona and Nike were not exactly seeing eye to eye, and it was claimed late in 2023 that the two parties were in the process of renegotiating the terms of their agreement.

However, the controversy has now ramped up after Laporta publicly admitted he fears Nike have breached their deal.

"We have some concerns and a situation that is not what we wanted," he told RAC1. "The operation has been deteriorating, we think they have breached the contract."

SPORT claim Barcelona have held talks with Puma over a kit manufacturing contract, but Laporta declined to give anything away when pressed directly on the matter.

"Puma? Don't mention names," Laporta continued. "We are talking to Nike. In times of difficulty, they have not shown themselves. In words, yes. When we have shown our teeth, they have made the effort but it is not enough.

"It is at this point that we want to find the best solution. There are three options: continue with them, accept what the market gives us, or do it ourselves through BLM [Barca Licensing & Merchandising]."

Barcelona are believed to be seeking a more lucrative deal and Puma are reported to be willing to meet their demands, although any agreement would depend on Barcelona managing to terminate their deal with Nike.

It is stressed that Puma would not pay any compensation fee to help Barcelona break their Nike deal.

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