Mueez Ajao
– Barcelona have sold a further 15% of their domestic television rights to the global investment firm Sixth Street, the club announced on Friday, with sources telling that the deal is worth around €320 million.
– Sources have told that Barca hope the sale will enable them to register summer signings Franck Kessie, Andreas Christensen, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski.
– Barca will also use the money to re-inscribe Sergi Roberto and Ousmane Dembele with LaLiga after the duo signed new contracts, while president Joan Laporta says the club will now look to strengthen in defence.
Also Read: Barcelona unveil Robert Lewandowski
– Sixth Street have now purchased 25% of Barca’s income from LaLiga television rights for the next 25 years, having bought 10% for €207.5m at the end of June.
FC Barcelona and @SixthStreetNews reach agreement for the acquisition of an additional 15% share of the Club’s LaLiga broadcasting rights
MORE INFO 🔗 https://t.co/PUwYrMUEh9 pic.twitter.com/WwDW4eX8mX
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 22, 2022
– The rights were worth €165.6m in the 2020-21 season — figures are not yet available for this past season — so, based on those numbers, which will fluctuate, Sixth Street stand to make €41.4m annually from the deal.
– Over 25 years, that would equate to just over €1 billion on their initial investment of €527.5m.
– It continues Sixth Street’s investment in sport in recent years. The firm also recently entered into a partnership with Real Madrid related to the operations of the Bernabeu.
– They also own a 20% stake in the San Antonio Spurs and are the majority owners of Legends, in partnership with the New York Yankees and the Dallas Cowboys.
– Last month’s deal with Sixth Street prevented Barca from ending the 2021-22 financial season with losses, but sources told ESPN the money would not increase their budget on transfers this summer.
– However, sources at the club told ESPN earlier this month the sale of an additional 15% of their domestic media rights would help them tackle the squad overhaul coach Xavi Hernandez has requested this summer.
– The operation will help increase their LaLiga-imposed spending limit, which stands at -€144m — the only negative cap in the league — but which is being constantly revised by the Spanish league.
– Barca’s squad costs last season — which include wages and amortisation payments among other elements — stood at around €560m.
– If that figure can be brought in line with LaLiga’s spending cap, Barca will be able to spend at a ratio of 1:1, which means that for every euro they make in transfers or save in wages, they can invest a euro.
– As things stand, they are currently restricted to a ratio of either 1:3 or 1:4, depending on the size of the saving they make, so can only spend a fraction of any money they bring in through player departures.
