Barcelona, one of the most iconic and successful football clubs in the world, has been a subject of much speculation about its ownership in recent years. The club’s ownership structure has seen significant changes, with various individuals and entities having a stake in the club at different times. Let’s take a closer look at who owns Barcelona now.
The Members: The True Owners
At its core, Barcelona is owned by its members, known as socios. These are the true owners of the club and have the power to elect the president and board of directors. The socios form an essential part of Barcelona’s democratic governance structure.
With over 140,000 members, Barcelona is one of the few major football clubs that operate as a member-owned organization. This unique ownership model ensures that decisions regarding the club’s direction are made collectively by its passionate fanbase.
The Board of Directors: The Decision-Makers
While the members hold ultimate power in decision-making, they delegate day-to-day operations to a board of directors. The board is responsible for managing the club’s affairs, including financial matters and player transfers.
Under normal circumstances, the board consists of several elected members who serve specific roles such as president, vice-president, treasurer, and secretary. However, recent years have seen some controversy surrounding these positions.
The Bartomeu Era
In 2014, Josep Maria Bartomeu became president after Sandro Rosell resigned amidst allegations of financial irregularities. Bartomeu’s tenure was characterized by both success on the field and controversy off it.
- Trophies: During Bartomeu’s time as president (2014-2020), Barcelona won numerous domestic titles including La Liga and Copa del Rey.
- Controversies: The board faced criticism for the handling of player transfers, mismanagement of finances, and allegations of social media smear campaigns against players and club legends.
Bartomeu’s presidency ended in 2020 when he resigned amidst growing discontent among fans and a vote of no confidence. This led to an interim board taking charge until new elections could be held.
The Current Situation
As of now, Barcelona is undergoing a transitional phase with elections scheduled for March 2021. Several candidates have announced their intentions to run for the presidency, including Joan Laporta, Victor Font, and Toni Freixa.
The outcome of these elections will determine the new board of directors and, by extension, the direction of the club. It remains to be seen how Barcelona will navigate through its financial challenges and rebuild its squad amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Conclusion
In summary, Barcelona is ultimately owned by its members who hold the power to elect the president and board of directors. However, recent years have seen controversies surrounding the board’s decisions and management. With upcoming elections, Barcelona is at a crossroads where its future ownership structure and direction will be determined.
Regardless of who takes charge in the coming months, one thing is certain – Barcelona’s passionate fanbase will continue to play a crucial role in shaping the destiny of this historic football club.