Barcelona brings Intel inside with global deal

Spanish Liga football club Barcelona has agreed a global sponsorship deal with American IT company Intel.

Under the agreement, which is set to be formally unveiled by the club tomorrow, Intel becomes Barcelona’s official technology partner.

The tie-up with Intel comes as Barcelona aims to generate funds to build a new stadium, either a revamped Nou Camp or a new facility on land owned by the University of Barcelona.

Barcelona’s economic vice-president Javier Faus said the club would be open to adding a sponsor’s name to the club’s home to finance the project but categorically ruled out a full stadium naming rights deal.

He told the club’s official website: “We could generate around €250m ($340m) long term (through a naming rights deal), but we don’t support the idea. The majority of the board does not want to completely sell the naming rights of the stadium. Adding a ‘last name’ is the lesser of two evils. We could generate around €100m, but these contracts have a duration of 25 years.”