Is Barcelona Sponsored by Qatar Airways?
Barcelona Football Club, commonly known as Barça, is one of the most successful and popular football clubs in the world. With a rich history and a massive fan base, Barcelona has been associated with various sponsors throughout the years.
One of the prominent sponsors that Barcelona has had is Qatar Airways.
The Partnership between Barcelona and Qatar Airways
In 2013, Barcelona announced a five-year sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways, the state-owned flag carrier airline of Qatar. The agreement made Qatar Airways the official shirt sponsor for Barcelona’s football team.
This partnership was significant not only in terms of financial support but also in terms of global exposure for both parties involved.
Financial Benefits: The partnership with Qatar Airways brought substantial financial benefits to Barcelona. The sponsorship deal reportedly amounted to around €165 million over five years.
This injection of funds allowed Barcelona to invest in player transfers, training facilities, and other infrastructure developments.
Global Exposure: As one of the most-watched football clubs globally, Barcelona provided an excellent platform for Qatar Airways to increase its brand visibility and reach a wider audience. The club’s matches are broadcasted to millions worldwide, giving extensive exposure to the airline’s logo on their shirts.
Criticism and Controversy
While many fans embraced the sponsorship deal as a necessary means to ensure financial stability and sustain success on the field, it was not without controversy. Critics argued that associating with an airline from a country with questionable human rights records raised ethical concerns.
Critics’ Concerns: Human rights organizations criticized both Barcelona and Qatar Airways for their association due to allegations of labor exploitation relating to workers involved in the construction of infrastructure for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. These concerns prompted discussions about the responsibility of sports clubs to consider ethical implications when selecting sponsors.
Change in Sponsorship: In 2017, Barcelona announced a change in their shirt sponsorship deal, ending their partnership with Qatar Airways. The club signed a new sponsorship agreement with Japanese e-commerce company, Rakuten.
This transition allowed Barcelona to explore other financial opportunities while distancing themselves from the controversy surrounding their previous sponsor.
The Legacy of the Barcelona-Qatar Airways Partnership
The partnership between Barcelona and Qatar Airways had a significant impact on both entities. It provided Barcelona with substantial financial resources and global exposure, increasing their reach and competitiveness on and off the field.
For Qatar Airways, it was an opportunity to enhance brand awareness and tap into the massive football fanbase worldwide.
However, this partnership was not immune to criticism and controversy. The association with Qatar Airways raised questions about ethical considerations and the responsibility of football clubs towards their sponsors’ actions.
- Financial benefits for Barcelona allowed investment in player transfers.
- Global exposure increased visibility for Qatar Airways.
- Critics raised concerns about labor exploitation in Qatar.
- The club ended its sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways in 2017.
- Barcelona signed a new sponsorship agreement with Rakuten.
In conclusion, while Barcelona was indeed sponsored by Qatar Airways for several years, this partnership came with both benefits and controversies. The collaboration served its purpose in terms of financial support and global exposure but also sparked debates surrounding ethical considerations within sports sponsorships.