Barcelona consider rejecting new La Liga TV deal
By Tom Gott
Barcelona are considering rejecting La Liga's new TV contract amid concerns over the length of the deal in question.
La Liga recently unveiled a €2.7bn deal with CVC which will provide a welcome cash influx for all teams in Spain's top two divisions, as well as women's and grassroots football - with Barcelona themselves set to pocket a cool €284m to help keep them afloat after a tough financial year.
Press release: #LaLiga announces an agreement in principle with CVC that will inject 2.7 billion euros into the competition and its clubs.
— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) August 4, 2021
The money would come as a 40-year loan with minimum interest and has been earmarked to improve Barcelona's youth setup and increase their infamous salary cap, as well as helping them pay off some of their more pressing debts.
It all sounds pretty good, but as noted by Cadena SER, the news hasn't been well received by Barcelona, who believe it is irresponsible to value the TV rights for 40 years' time at the same price as today.
"Bread for today and hunger for tomorrow," say club sources who believe the action could be far more valuable in the future.
While it's acknowledged that the money would be a welcome boost for every club in Spain, there are fears that it will only help in the short term and will actually leave Spanish football at a disadvantage further down the line when, Barcelona believe, other leagues can sell their rights for more money.
During Barcelona's next meeting with La Liga, they have demanded to see the financial evidence that La Liga have used to justify this long-term commitment, and the Blaugrana have made no secret of their scepticism.
There are few clubs in Spain who would benefit from this new cash injection quite like Barcelona, who are desperately trying to cut costs in an attempt to get under their salary cap to re-sign Lionel Messi to his new contract.
To see their cap raised by €42m would make that significantly easier, although Barcelona seemingly believe the loan could be more trouble than it is actually worth.
Amid this latest kerfuffle at Camp Nou, club officials are scrambling to offload fringe players like Samuel Umtiti and Miralem Pjanic in a desperate attempt to get under their salary cap for the first time in months.