Barcelona approves two major economic levers, set to earn €700 million next year under President Laporta
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Barcelona members have approved plans to sell 49.9% of the club’s merchandising company and 25% of their TV rights.
Club officials have spoken openly about the need to raise €500m to balance the books this summer and have even recently suggested that a further €160m needs to come off the wage bill before Barcelona can even think about signing new players.
President Joan Laporta has promised to raise the vast majority of that money through significant sales of Barça Licensing & Merchandising (BLM) and a section of the club’s TV rights, even suggesting that the two deals could amount to €700m. All business decisions must be approved by the Barcelona members, many of whom met for a general assembly on Thursday to vote for or against the sales.
How much will the sale of BLM fetch to Barcelona?
First up was the BLM sale, with a significant majority voting in favour of selling 49.9% of the franchise, Laporta confirmed offers of between €200m and €300m have been received, although recent reports have suggested he is looking for more.
Members voted it through with 568 in favour, 65 against the sale and 13 people abstaining. Barca will retain control of BLM as they are only selling 49.9% and reserve the option to buy it back in the future.
Laporta also revealed Barcelona have received an astonishing bid of € 1 Billion for 100% TV rights which was turned down
Television rights were next up for members to vote. Economic vice-president Eduard Romeo confirmed that the sale must happen before June 30th.
Once again authorization was given for 25% of the club’s TV rights from LaLiga for up to 25 years with 494 members in favor and just 62 against. It was another overwhelming victory, with Barcelona chiefs now set to push ahead with what could be some incredibly lucrative plans.
Laporta confirmed that they are looking to strike a 25-year agreement for the TV rights, for which every 10% of the shares is worth €200m, with reports suggesting the plan is to find a buyer for 25% totaling a cool €500m.
It was even revealed that Barcelona have been offered €1 billion for a 100% sale of their TV rights, with Laporta turning it down to ensure the club does not give up complete control.
For what purpose will this cash influx be used by the Barcelona hierarchy?
The restructure of Barcelona’s finances means they should be able to push ahead with their ambitious transfer plans, focusing on Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski.
Lewandowski is the club’s priority target and Barcelona have been unable to pay Bayern’s €50m asking price up until now but a deal could progress rapidly once the BLM sale is finalized.
Barcelona also have deals in place to sign Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen on free transfers from AC Milan and Chelsea respectively but they were unable to register the duo until the wage bill was lowered.
Manager Xavi still has plans to sell up to ten fringe first-team players to continue to lower the wage bill, however star midfielder Frenkie De Jong now looks certain to stay as Barca were reluctant to sell him to Manchester United but having to balance their books, the Dutch international is the only sellable asset who could have been traded off.
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Sujeeth Shetty
(766 Articles Published)