FC Barcelona to Ditch Audi Sponsor
FC Barcelona will end its sponsorship relationship with car manufacturer Audi at the end of this season, according to Catalunya Ràdio and their reporter Xavi Campos.
FC Barcelona's partnership with Audi began 13 years ago, in 2006. Audi is also sponsoring FC Barcelona arch rivals Real Madrid as well as various other clubs worldwide, including Bayern München (Bayern wants BMW to become their new sponsor, however).
Ahead of every season, Audi delivers vehicles to footballers and technical staff while also having advertising space within the stadium and other areas.
"It's an important marketing agreement, but it's not one of the most important," says Xavi Campos of Catalunya Ràdio. "In 2006, when it was first signed, it was a remarkable cash inflow. But sponsorships have grown exponentially. Next to Rakuten, Nike and Beko, the amounts reported by Audi are not so important," he adds.
In addition, he stresses that "disenchantment is mutual. The club's marketing department believes that sponsorship does not generate so much income as to have such an obvious brand presence related to Barça. The expenditure they make with the cars is independent of the marketing income that Audi generates to Barça. And these direct revenues are those from the club do not see so clear.
Audi would also be annoyed. "They are 13 years. And there are many images of players arriving at the Camp Nou and the Ciutat Esportiva instead of with the Audi they have been given, with another model. He is not only a very important player. Although there is one that especially does," Campos adds.
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