"EL MUNDO DEPORTIVO" reported over the weekend that German sport equipment producer PUMA tabled a firm offer of € 127.5 mill. for 5 years to supply FC Barcelona with PUMA sports gear from 2008, if US giant NIKE, current provider of Barca, does not match or exceed the rivals offer.
The existing contract with NIKE explicitly allows FC Barcelona to negotiate with other rival companies. Barca president Joan Laporta admitted at the Basketball final of the Catalan League in Girona, that FC Barcelona has been in negotiations to improve the conditions of the club´s equipment contract.


The contract with current Barca supplier NIKE had been signed in 1997 and the US giant pay an estimated € 15 mill. plus a participation in the merchandising to supply Barca officially with their sport equipment.

NIKE officials as well as PUMA officials did not want to comment the reports whereas Barca president Laporta admitted the negotiations in Girona. Laporta told "EL MUNDO DEPORTIVO":

We have a current contract until 2008 and we are willing to fulfill it, but we are negotiating to improve the current conditions. We want to increase the income of the club.

PUMA would pay € 22 mill. in the first season and then € 23.5, 25.0, 27.0 and 30 in the 4 seasons thereafter, a total of € 127.5 mill. in five seasons.


PUMA is already sponsor of Barca´s top striker Samuel Eto´o, World Champions Italy, Guti, Buffon and Formula 1 pilot Michael Schumacher.