FC Barcelona and Puma close in on record-breaking kit deal

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Image credit: Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock.com

FC Barcelona and Puma are close to reaching a historic kit sponsor agreement that would see the Catalans get around $329.5 million AUD (€200 million) a season, after negotiations between the two parties intensified over the past few weeks.

The potential deal outlines that $189.35 million AUD (€115 million) will be fixed for FC Barcelona, but the figure is capable of rising to the $329.5 million AUD (€200 million) if a number of incentives are met. It remains unclear how many years the Puma deal would be for Barcelona.

If this deal gets confirmed, it would be the most lucrative kit sponsor arrangement in football, smashing their rivals Real Madrid’s current leading $196.06 million AUD (€119 million) deal with Adidas.

However there is a major roadblock that has kept this deal at a standstill and that is the relationship between Barcelona and Nike. This deal is still active until the end of this current season and the sports apparel giant have been supplying the club’s shirts and kits since 1998.

Nike are currently offering minimum of $172.88 million AUD (€105 million) per term which can hit $255.21 million AUD (€155 million) if on and off-field variables are achieved. This obviously doesn’t compare to the potential Puma deal and has Barcelona’s biggest decision makers having to make the big call.

Puma ‘will not sign a single document’ until the relationship between Barca and Nike is broken, but the company is willing to offer bonus money if the club can get out of its current Nike deal in a quick manner.

Nike however are holding firm on their current deal because they believe it would incur losses of up to $576.3 million AUD (€350 million) if Barca were to walk.

It leaves an interesting ultimatum for Barcelona who have a record deal right in front of them in a time of desperate financial struggle, but it would be at the expense of a fantastic 25-year relationship they have built with Nike.

The La Liga champions have a total debt is €1.2bn and have sold naming rights to their stadium as well as rights to their El Clasico matchday kits in a time of extreme anguish. This deal presents a huge opportunity for the Blaugrana to record profits and dig the club out of the enormous hole they find themselves in.

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WA announce TV series for Sam Kerr’s children’s novels

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Image Credit: James Ross/AAP

A new TV series based on Sam Kerr’s children’s books ‘Kicking Goals’ is set to begin filming in early 2027 in Western Australia.

The show follows a young Kerr before she became captain of the Matildas and a star at Chelsea FC. Set in her home state of WA, the story sees her navigate her way through growing up and chasing her dreams, alongside her family and friends, and the adventures that entailed.

Speaking to Screenwest, Kerr said, ‘It’s pretty surreal knowing that Kicking Goals is being adapted into a TV series. These stories are all about believing in yourself and having a go, so it feels really special that a whole new generation will get to experience them on screen.’

Co-authored by Fiona Harris, the books have been a success since their initial release in 2021, a period which has coincided with Kerr and her Matildas teammates growing from beloved within Australia’s football community, into a team of genuine national appeal and recognition. They are available nation-wide, sold at major retailers such as Big W and Dymocks.

The television adaptation will beproduced by Orange Entertainment for Paramount+.

‘Kicking Goals’ is set to inject AUD 5million into the WA economy and provide over 130 local jobs.

Creative Industries Minister of WA, Simone McGurk, said via WA GOV, ‘The series will showcase all that Western Australia has to offer – including our world-class talent, crew, and diverse locations – while celebrating the story of one of our sporting greats.’

Casting is currently underway, with a search for a young Kerr and her mates ongoing.

The months after the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australian and New Zealand saw an 11% increase in women and girl’s participation in football compared to the previous year, showing the direct impact the biggest stage can have on grassroots football.

Kerr has managed to build on that success and begin a new chapter, inspiring kids both on and off the field.

Former Socceroos captain set to headline coaching conference

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Mark Mulligan. Credit A League

Mark Milligan – former Socceroos captain and Newcastle Jets Premiership-winning manager – is set to be the guest of honour at the 2026 Football NSW Coaching Conference, held at Valentine Sports Park from November 21st–22nd.

The annual conference represents Australia’s largest gathering of football coaches, and is set to include expert insight into coaching, practical sessions and development plans for attendees. Milligan will partake in a Q&A session with MC Stephanie Brantz on November 21, adding significant gravitas to the conference.

Chris Gallo, Football NSW Coach Education Manager spoke highly of Milligan via Football NSW.

‘Opportunities to hear from people who have experienced the game at the highest level are incredibly valuable for our coaches. Mark brings a unique perspective on leadership, performance and the demands of elite football, and we want our coaches to be able to take those insights back into their own environments,’ he said.

Milligan traversed the globe across a near-twenty year professional career that started in the old National Soccer League, concluded in the A-League, and took in time across Europe, the UK and Asia.

He represented the Socceroos with distinction across 80 appearances, selected by four seperate managers in World Cup squads, and was captain of the Olympic team in 2008. His nascent managerial career has already seen two trophies at Newcastle, where he is presently leading them in the Asian Champions League.

But it all began on the local pitches of Bankstown. Milligan is an authentic, home-grown product of Football NSW, and emblamatic of the rewards that can be reaped from investing in the beginning of a player’s journey.

With the conference already selling out, attendees can now expect to learn plemty from one of Australia’s most exciting, up-and-coming coaches.

The opportunity Football NSW are providing showcases their commitment in helping coaches develop, and their continued pledge of giving back to the game at its foundation.

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