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Barca’s new Nike deal explained: Is it really worth €1.7billion? And is it bigger than Real Madrid’s?

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Barca’s new Nike deal explained: Is it really worth €1.7billion? And is it bigger than Real Madrid’s?

Barcelona announced last weekend a new multi-year partnership with kit supplier Nike, extending and updating a deal which had been set to end in 2028.

In recent months Barca president Joan Laporta has regularly boasted that he would secure a deal which would be “the biggest in all of world football”, and the extended contract could now be worth €1.7billion (£1.4bn;$1.8bn) over the next 14 seasons to 2038, bringing a major boost to the club’s troubled and complex financial situation.

Confirmation of the new arrangement ends a year-long saga which hurt relations between the Catalan club and the American sportswear giant. Yet it remains to be seen whether the deal will bring immediate relief to the team’s issues with La Liga’s salary limits — including most pressingly whether last summer’s signings Dani Olmo and Pau Victor can be registered to play for the team over the second half of this season.

The Athletic spoke to figures inside and outside Camp Nou, all of whom wished to remain anonymous to protect relationships, about whether this is a good deal for Barcelona.


What did Barcelona say?

Announcing the contract on Saturday, Barca said in a statement: “This new partnership consolidates Nike as a main partner of the club and official technical partner across all professional and amateur teams, bringing a unique model that strengthens the brand association and fuels the global retail and licensing business growth.”

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What are the financial details?

Barca officially told The Athletic that the details of the deal were confidential, but club sources stated a total figure of €1.7bn over the next 14 years.

The new contract will have two phases. The first is from 2024 to 2028, the latter year being when the previous agreement was to expire. Club sources say that for each of the next four years, the income will now be around €108million (£90m;$115m), close to doubling what the club had been earning in recent seasons.

From 2028, that figure will increase to around €120m each campaign over the following decade, according to the club sources.


Barcelona president Joan Laporta (Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

These sources said that Barcelona would also receive a ‘signing bonus’ of €158m which will be divided over the 14 years of the deal, including the current season’s accounts.

Barca consider it to be a big victory for Barca following tough negotiations, guaranteeing that most of the promised annual income will be received, regardless of the team’s performances on the pitch.

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When previous president Josep Maria Bartomeu’s board signed the previous deal in 2016, a headline figure of €105m a year was trumpeted. However, under that deal, when the team were not as successful as hoped, for instance dropping out of the Champions League early, the club actually received only €50-60m from Nike.


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What are Nike saying?

Nike and Barca have worked together closely since their first deal was signed in 1998. When asked by The Athletic to comment on the new deal extension, Nike said it was delighted to continue this deep and meaningful relationship.

A Nike spokesperson said: “We are excited to progress our work together at all levels, from grassroots football initiatives that inspire and empower young players, to elevating FC Barcelona as a global icon of style and culture. Together, we are particularly passionate about advancing the growth of the women’s game, and our partnership with FC Barcelona’s women’s team is a testament to our shared dedication to equality and inclusivity in sport.”

Nike said they could not confirm details of the financial or business sides of the agreement.

What’s the optimistic view?

The €1.7bn headline figure is huge, even by the standards of multi-million kit deals at the elite level in club football. It would be a huge improvement on Barca’s previous earnings from Nike, a significant boost in revenues which would help improve the club’s financial situation over the coming years.

Importantly for many around Camp Nou, with the signing bonus included it would also mean that Barca have achieved Laporta’s often-stated ambition to top Real Madrid’s €120m-a-year agreement with Adidas, currently accepted as the most lucrative in world football.

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This would back the current board’s case that they are working successfully to fix the financial problems they inherited from their predecessors.


Barca need cash to be able to play Dani Olmo in the second half of the season (Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

What’s the reality of the situation?

It is not typical in football for a club to renegotiate a kit deal with four years still to run. But the agreement with Nike was identified by Barca’s board as a potential way to increase their revenues by ‘levering’ more money into their annual accounts.

Nike were only going to agree to a new deal if it suited them, and there had been anger within the U.S. multinational at how they had been treated through the whole negotiation process, including the Catalan club trying (unsuccessfully) to find a legal way to exit their previous agreement.

Laporta and his closest executives took charge of the negotiations which finally led to the weekend’s announcement. Full details of the agreement were not even shared with the board before last Friday’s vote to accept.

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Some industry sources consulted by The Athletic were sceptical about the figures being claimed, with doubt from some in the Spanish capital about whether Barca’s deal really was going to be bigger than Madrid’s.

There were also concerns voiced about the effect of the new arrangement on the Catalan club’s Barca Licensing and Merchandising (BLM) arm, with the statement announcing the deal appearing to suggest a deeper role for Nike in this area of Barca’s business.

Since its launch by Bartomeu in 2018, BLM has been a big success. The €179m that Barca earned from kit and merchandising revenues was the most of any European club according to UEFA.

There are concerns that Nike playing a greater role in the many ‘casual’ ranges of clothing and other merchandise sold in official club shops will mean less of the profits end up in its coffers. Club sources have denied that this will be the case.

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What’s the latest on Barca’s salary limit?

As so often in recent years, Barca had to work hard this summer to be able to register all their current squad members with La Liga, including Spain international playmaker Olmo, a €60m arrival from RB Leipzig, and young striker Victor, a €2.7m signing from Girona.

Both were only registered at the last minute, using La Liga’s financial rule 77, which allows for the temporary replacement of injured players (in this case Andreas Christensen). That meant they were only registered with La Liga until December 31. For either or both to feature after the winter break, the club must find more money from somewhere.


Victor is another player experiencing uncertainty at Barcelona (Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

During a press conference in early September, Laporta said that Barca were “€60million away” from returning to a situation where La Liga would let them sign and register players as normal.

A few weeks later it emerged that Barca’s auditors had required a write-down in its 2023-24 accounts of the value of the club’s troubled ‘Barca Vision’ subsidiary, which holds its current and future media rights and activities.

This meant that Barca now needed to raise an estimated €120m to get back within its allowed salary limit for the current campaign.

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How could the new Nike deal affect the situation?

When Laporta has been asked about the Barca Vision problem, he would often mention the bumper benefits of a new kit deal as at least part of the solution.

One hope was that a ‘bonus’ of €100m-plus could fill most or all of the immediate holes in the club’s accounts caused by the failure of the Barca Studios lever. The agreed deal now divides this bonus over its 14-year term — meaning only an estimated €9m extra in 2024-25 (plus the extra €40m in normal revenues over the course of the season).

Club sources have told The Athletic that the new Nike deal helps but does not resolve the Barca Vision issue. So the search continues for more investors in that project. There is confidence at the highest level at Camp Nou that this will be successful, and player sales will not be required in the winter transfer window. However, as so often under the current regime, it looks likely to go right down the wire.

And over the longer term?

The general impression is that this new Nike deal fits well with Laporta’s policies during his second presidency. The club is gaining upfront money which it can use to fix holes in the accounts and continue to spend on the squad.

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A longer-term issue with the new Nike contract flagged in multiple conversations with industry sources is that Barca are now locked into this deal for another 14 years. Given the inflation in the market, €127m a year may not look so good by 2034. “This deal could tie the hands and feet of the next president,” an ex-Blaugrana board member told The Athletic.

However, there is also an understanding that Barca are where they are, and the numbers coming from the club are impressive and necessary. “Financially this new Nike deal is a tremendous boost of oxygen,” said one influential figure in the club’s ‘entorno’ who has not always backed Laporta’s lever policies.

(Additional reporting: Pol Ballús)

(Top photo: Alvaro Medranda/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

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Megan Rapinoe 'overwhelmed’ by another Trump presidency, fearful for the transgender community

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Megan Rapinoe 'overwhelmed’ by another Trump presidency, fearful for the transgender community

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Former USWNT star Megan Rapinoe lamented Vice President Kamala Harris’ loss in the presidential election during her recent podcast episode this week, adding that she is fearful for the transgender community under another Trump presidency. 

During Wednesday’s episode of the “A Touch More” podcast, Rapinoe and four-time WNBA champion Sue Bird discussed their thoughts on the election and how they have been processing Harris’ loss. 

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OL Reign forward Megan Rapinoe (15) talks to the media after the 2023 NWSL Championship match against New Jersey/New York Gotham FC at Snapdragon Stadium.  (Orlando Ramirez-USA Today Sports)

“I feel overwhelmed by the reality that is going to be a Trump presidency, which we have seen before – so I don’t feel like I’m saying anything new – but the reality where like anything crazy could happen any day. I think that is really overwhelming,” Rapinoe began.  

Rapinoe, who retired from professional soccer following the conclusion of the 2023 NWSL season, went on to say that her concern mainly lies with those around her, including the trans community.

“I think that I feel – not so much personally scared, because I think that we live in very progressive places, we’re unbelievably privileged in our place in the world and life and financially and all of these things, but I think that fear extends to just people in general that will be really affected. I’m thinking of all my trans friends and people that I know and trans kids. I’m thinking about the potential of mass deportations if that is going to happen, and just like the general chaos that’s going to be sown is really overwhelming.”

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Trump speaks campaign event

Then-Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Mint Hill, N.C.  (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

MEGAN RAPINOE TAKES SWIPE AT ‘VIOLENT REALITY’ OF ANOTHER TRUMP PRESIDENCY

Rapinoe went on to say that if the promises President-elect Donald Trump made on the campaign trail were to come true, she feels “it’s going to be a long four years.” 

Rapinoe added that she was surprised that Trump’s “hateful messaging” resonated with so many Americans. 

“To see such a hateful message really resonate with such a large percentage of the electorate – I think that’s just hard to look at. I think we always know that it’s there. Let’s not be naive about this – this is America, and we were founded on slavery and inequality.”   

Megan Rapinoe looks on

Former soccer player Megan Rapinoe attends the Women’s Gold Medal game between Team France and Team United States on day sixteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 11, 2024, in Paris, France.  (Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

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Looking ahead, she said the Democratic Party will need to re-evaluate.  

“Obviously, the Democratic Party missed the mark on some things, and we need to look at that really honestly in the coming months, weeks and years to try to have this message and this party resonate with more people than is resonating with the other side, which did not happen this time. 

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Girls’ high school volleyball: Regional playoff results and updated schedule

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Girls’ high school volleyball: Regional playoff results and updated schedule

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL

SOCAL REGIONAL PLAYOFFS

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS

OPEN DIVISION

First Round

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Cathedral Catholic d. Los Alamitos, 25-16, 25-17, 25-19

Redondo Union d. Marymount, 25-20, 23-25, 28-30, 25-9, 15-10

Sierra Canyon d. Mira Costa, 23-25, 22-25, 28-26, 25-23, 15-7

Mater Dei d. Torrey Pines, 19-25, 13-25, 25-16, 25-13, 15-13

THURSDAY’S SCHEDULE

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Matches at 6 p.m. unless noted

DIVISION I

Quarterfinals

#8 San Luis Obispo at #1 Huntington Beach

#5 Francis Parker at #4 Palos Verdes

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#14 Oaks Christian at #11 Liberty

#10 Santa Margarita at #2 Temecula Valley, 5 p.m.

DIVISION II

#9 Bishop Diego at #1 Bakersfield Christian

#5 Eastlake at #4 San Dieguito Academy

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#11 Windward at #3 Bishop’s

#7 Long Beach Poly at #2 Bakersfield Centennial

DIVISION III

#8 Point Loma at #1 Central Valley Christian, 5 p.m.

#5 Corona at #4 El Dorado

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#6 Granada Hills at #3 Porterville

#7 El Capitan at #2 Palisades

DIVISION IV

#8 Laguna Beach at #1 Walnut

#5 Santana at #4 Brawley

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#6 El Camino Real at #3 Crossroads

#7 Chatsworth at #2 South Pasadena, 5 p.m.

DIVISION V

#8 Charter Oak at #1 Eagle Rock

#5 Bell Gardens at #4 California City

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#14 Southwest SD at #11 Woodlake

#10 St. Pius X-St. Matthias at #2 Reseda

Note: Semifinals in all divisions Saturday at higher seeds; finals in all divisions Nov. 19 at higher seeds; state finals in Divisions I & V Nov. 22 at Santiago Canyon College; finals in Open, II, III & IV Nov. 23 at Santiago Canyon College.

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Klay Thompson returned to the Bay, but Stephen Curry had the last splash

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Klay Thompson returned to the Bay, but Stephen Curry had the last splash

SAN FRANCISCO — It was rather early for his “Night, Night” celebration, the move Steph Curry does to declare a victory secured.

“I almost pulled a Si Woo Kim,” Curry said of the golfer who in September did the Golden State Warriors star’s signature after a clutch chip-in on hole No. 16 before eventually losing the Presidents Cup on hole No. 18.

“But thankfully, we were able to finish it. … Yeah, a little premature.”

Up four with 26.4 seconds remaining, after hitting Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II with a couple of crossovers before drilling a 3-pointer from the top, Curry’s international trademark appeared organically. Emotion made it hard to prioritize score and clock. The adrenaline and testosterone, the euphoria of supremacy, rendered win probability secondary.

A moment had been orchestrated. A message had been enunciated. It had to be punctuated.

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So Curry roared at the raucous Chase Center crowd, thunderous enough this night to evoke memories of Oracle Arena. He tugged at the Golden State across his jersey and pounded his chest with a fist. Then he turned to the cameras, and into the eyes of millions, and let his competitive arrogance speak to anyone else who’d dare leave his side for greener pastures.

You better stay here!” Curry yelled, emphasizing location with a double point to the hardwood on which he stood. “You better stay here!”

Tuesday night’s NBA Cup opener was all about Klay Thompson and the affinity he’s garnered from Warriors world.

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Hundreds of Golden State employees lined his walkway into the arena. Thousands of fans donned a white sailor’s cap in his honor. After a one-minute tribute video, Thompson basked in a minute-long ovation featuring enough sentiment to crumble his facade of indifference.

As he’d done so many times before, Thompson sent a wave of chills through the arena. A Bay Area legend was back. A beloved cohort of a dynasty was home.

This night began as a ballad to Captain Klay. It ended with a reminder it was Curry’s ship.

“Yeah,” Thompson said after the game, “it hurts to be on the other side of one of his flurries. The guy got hot at the end and made some ridiculous shots. Being on the other end, it sucks.”

On the floor with at least five future Hall of Famers, Curry was the best player when it mattered most. Four months before he turns 37.

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Down 114-108 with just over three minutes remaining, Curry ran off 10 straight points. Neither Luka Dončić nor Kyrie Irving nor Klay Thompson could answer Curry. He scored 12 points in the final 3:10.

He finished with a game-high 37 points — to go with his 9 assists and 6 rebounds — as the Warriors improved to 9-2 with a 120-117 win. Two nights after closing out Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Oklahoma City, and Jayson Tatum in Boston before that, Curry again declared his eliteness.

Undoubtedly, he wanted his Splash Brother to hear him loudest. A mindset that honors their relationship, considering they are bonded by their competitive spirits as much as their shooting prowess.

Curry was determined not to give Thompson the satisfaction of victory. The overflow of admiration was enough. Curry stayed in the tunnel during the playing of the tribute video, dodging the emotion he was sure to feel. Likewise, Draymond Green got the video delivered to him early so he could watch it and get the feels out of the way. Curry didn’t even talk to Thompson until a pregame hug right before tipoff.

On the first play of the game, Thompson took Curry into the post, endeavoring to use his height advantage over the point guard. He drew a foul on Curry, who was aggressive and physical because, as Green said, he wanted to take the ball from Klay.

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“I blacked out on that one,” Curry said. “I wasn’t going to let him score and I fouled him.”

He got the steal the next time Thompson posted him, stripping him under the basket. A third time, Curry forced Thompson into a bad shot.

When Curry dropped in a floater in the second quarter, drawing the foul on Thompson in the process, he shot a taunting stare at his former backcourt mate.

“I knew he’d come in ready to go,” Green said. “But when you see him express that type of emotion, everybody else just falls in line. I try to lead in that category. When he’s up, I move to the side, let him do his thing and be his support. He was absolutely incredible tonight, and I knew he’d be locked in from the get-go.”

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Coincidentally, in denying Klay, Curry underscored that he doesn’t have (a) Klay.

Golden State outscored Dallas by 24 points in Curry’s 35 minutes. In the 13 minutes he sat, the Mavericks outscored the hosts by 21 points.

The Warriors find themselves on this promising start because of their depth. But the league’s highest-scoring bench — which still outscored Dallas’ bench, 42-22 — struggled to score when Curry sat. And with Green and Andrew Wiggins mostly resting with him, the Warriors’ bench was overwhelmed by the dynamism of Dončić and Irving. And Klay.

Jonathan Kuminga, who finished with 16 points, is the best bench option to be an offensive anchor, but his opportunities are limited by minutes and sometimes lineups. Buddy Hield, who is featured offensively, was effective inside the arc but is not as potent when he’s not raining 3s. The Replacement Splash Brother has been revelatory this season but was 2-for-8 in the matchup against his predecessor, and the Warriors’ offense suffered.

Meanwhile, the Mavericks could stagger their stars and keep a threat on the court. And Thompson gives them a potent third option when he’s on. And Tuesday he was on, to the tune of 6-for-12 from 3 and 22 points. He came into the game having made 2 of 13 the previous two games.

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He scored eight points in the fourth quarter, including two open 3s in front of the Warriors’ bench. The first was over a closeout from Curry, who sagged off Thompson too far. The second put the Mavericks ahead 110-105 with 5:17 remaining. And it unleashed the verbal and physical banter on his former shipmates.

“He did a little terrible shimmy,” Green said. “It was awful.”

“He knows better than that,” Curry said.

Certainly, Curry knew he’d hear it from his fellow dynasty engineer if Thompson came home and got the dub against the Dubs. Watching Thompson stunt on them was even more motivation. The reigning Western Conference champions would now have to deal with Commodore Curry.

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Ahead a point, just over 30 seconds remaining, Curry jogged up court as the tension crescendoed. He burned away precious seconds with a string of between-the-leg dribbles, waiting for the perfect time to attack. One screen got Dončić switched onto Curry. Then a second screen put Lively in his sights. Curry found his prey.

He pounded two dribbles while hopping right, setting up a sudden crossover left, getting Lively’s momentum going in that direction. Then Curry yanked a crossover back to his right, lining himself up for a dead-on 3-pointer from the top.

This splash was for Klay.

“That’s my guy, my friend, my road dog for 13 years,” Curry said. “There’s a lot of history, so you’re going to have a lot of back and forth. Some of it was competitive, some of it was fun. … It was an unreal night, for sure, all the way around.”

Almost immediately after his postgame interview, Thompson was back in his old confines. Fully dressed, wearing his captain’s hat, he hung out in the weight room and practice court he once roamed. Spending time with players and coaches and trainers on his former team. The rivalry had morphed back into brotherhood.

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GO DEEPER

Amick: Thompson wanted low-key Warriors homecoming, but warm embrace could help heal wounds

(Photo of Stephen Curry celebrating his game-icing 3-pointer Tuesday night: Noah Graham / NBAE via Getty Images)

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