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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Louie Acevski discusses NPL season 2025 and NST on SEN radio

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Image credit: Preston Lions FC

Preston Lions Senior Men’s Head Coach, Louie Acevski, went live on SEN Radio yesterday with Julian De Stoop to discuss the upcoming Victoria NPL season and National Second Tier competition (NST).

Having achieved promotion from the VPL1 after a successful 2024, the Lions will face a busy year in 2025.

Beginning on February 7, the Preston Lions will kick off their first match in the NPL with a game against Hume City at home. However, the Lions will also take part in the new NST competition in October.

Speaking on the season ahead, Acevski expressed his enthusiasm.

“Coming into NPL 1 season this year, where we haven’t been part of it for a long time, it’s exciting times,” Acevski said on radio.

“There’s derby games week in, week out, and we’re hoping to get anywhere between four to 6000 people per game on a Friday night. I know round one against Hume City will be a huge crowd.

“There will be some entertainment. Facilities are fantastic. Ground will be exceptional. Lights will be on, and cameras will be rolling.

“It’s a great product to watch and be a part of. I, to this day, still get goosebumps every time I walk out.”

Having achieved four promotions across the last six seasons, the Preston Lions have achieved immense success in a short time frame. However, Acevski was aware of the fraught competitiveness of the NPL.

“Expectations are very simple for us, It’s an unknown quantity at the moment,” he said.

“The NPL 1 is a very, very tough league, and we’re the new kids on the block. We’re just coming into it to put a bit of security and put the foundations down in NPL 1.”

At the end of the NPL season, Preston will take part in the recently created National Second Tier competition as a foundation club.

Acevski outlined the importance of the competition for Australian football.

“The B league is so important. The quicker we bring it in, the better,” he said.

“We need to give kids opportunities to grow further and become better players in a better environment, closer to a professional environment, and the B league will give us that.”

Preston will enter the 16-team competition as one of eight foundation clubs, hoping to become a mainstay in the tournament which will run from October to December next year.

“We’re in a really good place. The foundations have been constructed. We’re moving up to bigger and better things, and every year we’re just trying to improve as a club,” he continued to say.

“We just want to make and bring a product to Australian football that everybody wants to be a part of and wants to come and watch us on a Friday night.

“The success is not a one person show, you’re as good as your team in relation to your staff, players, committees, etcetera. We’re all on the same status and wavelength about what we want to do and how we want to go about it.

“Come this season, the B league, as an official home and away season is not commencing, but the Victoria NPL 1 season will be a short advertisement for it. You’ll the see the passion, love and support base around these games, and it’s just going to be a snippet of what the B league can and probably should be.”

To listen to the full interview, click here.

Workplace Law renews collaboration with Melbourne City FC

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Image credit: Melbourne City

Melbourne City FC has confirmed the renewal of its partnership with Workplace Law, a leading provider of employment and workplace relations expertise, for another two years.

Following a successful inaugural season together, this renewal signifies an ongoing collaboration that highlights shared commitments to excellence, equality, and innovation.

Workplace Law continues to support City’s Women’s program, with their logo proudly displayed on the back of the A-League Women’s training kit.

Furthermore, the logo will feature on the matchday attire of City Women’s Head Coach, Michael Matricciani, reflecting Workplace Law’s unwavering dedication to advancing women in sport.

Melbourne City FC’s partnership with Workplace Law, backed by a history of driving success on and off the field, aligns with the Club’s goal of fostering a high-performance culture for its players and staff.

Melbourne City FC CEO, Brad Rowse, shared his enthusiasm for the renewed partnership.

“We’re delighted to continue our partnership with Workplace Law, a company that shares our passion for driving excellence and creating opportunities for women in sport,” he said via press release.

“Their support plays a vital role in ensuring our Women’s program can continue to thrive, both on and off the pitch. We look forward to achieving even greater success together over the next two years.”

Workplace Law Director and CEO, Shane Koelmeyer, shared this excitement.

“We absolutely love being part of the Melbourne City family and are delighted to extend our partnership for another two seasons. They are the ‘gold standard’ when it comes to creating the ideal high-performance environment for their coaches and players to thrive on and off the pitch,” he said via press release.

“The Club has a wonderful history of sustained success in both the women’s and men’s programs, and we look forward to sharing in, along with their other amazing partners, further success in the future.”

This partnership not only bolsters Melbourne City’s ALW program but also showcases Workplace Law’s commitment to empowering teams and individuals to excel.

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