Barcelona tried kits from a different manufacturer before finalizing Nike contract

It is no secret that a few weeks ago, the relationship between Barcelona and Nike was on shaky ground. 

In fact, it seemed like their long-standing partnership might come to an end and this uncertainty was so significant that the club even considered alternative options. 

In that regard, a report from Mundo Deportivo has claimed that some players tested gear from the Danish brand Hummel during training sessions to see if it could be a viable replacement.

Interestingly, the situation has drastically improved since then. Now, Barcelona and Nike are on the verge of finalizing a new sponsorship deal. 

The club is eager to complete this agreement before June 30 and this deadline is important because securing the deal in time will benefit Barcelona’s financial fair play standing in La Liga.

A back story of Barcelona and Hummel 

About three months ago, Barcelona seriously considered creating their own brand with Hummel as the supplier. 

The idea was to have the team’s gear made by Hummel but without displaying the Hummel logo on the uniforms. This proposal gained significant traction within the club.

Barça close to reaching an agreement with Nike. (Photo by Getty Images)

To ensure the comfort and practicality of the potential new gear, the club conducted field tests. During a spring training session for the first team, four players tested the new uniforms. 

Among these players was a goalkeeper, who wore the new goalkeeper attire, and three outfield players. The focus of these tests was to determine if the new prototype uniforms met the players’ needs during regular training.

No more tests were conducted

Internally, Barcelona had already approved a classic design featuring the iconic Barça stripes. This design was different from the one Nike had created for the club’s 125th anniversary. 

However, during the tests at Ciutat Esportiva, the players wore white uniforms. The colour wasn’t important; the main goal was to evaluate the comfort and functionality of the new fabric and design.

After these initial tests, no further trials were conducted. Instead, Barcelona and Nike resumed their negotiations. 

At the same time, however, an offer from Puma was put on hold. But now, both parties are working towards announcing an extension of their contractual relationship, which began in 1998 and is currently set to last until 2028.