FC Barcelona’s plan to set up a team in the National Women’s Soccer League in the United States remains in the balance.
Xavier O’Callaghan, managing director of FC Barcelona’s US office, told today’s Sports Decision Makers Summit in Miami that the club’s long-term sponsorship deal with Nike – which covers all versions including the women’s team – remains the hold-up.
The NWSL currently has a commercial partnership with Nike but could move to a rival like Puma or Adidas in the future. Should that happen, then FC Barcelona would have to leave the NWSL – a situation the club wants to avoid.
“It’s not so easy to do it, to make it real. We are asking for [a sponsorship] exemption – but it is not in our hands,” O’Callaghan said. “We believe we can boost the competition but if there is no way to do it then will not take part in it.”
It is a subject O’Callaghan spoke to SportBusiness in detail about here.
Elsewhere, O’Callaghan said he cannot envisage a closed European Super League without promotion and relegation. He is also unsure if European games would take place at weekends in the future.
