FC Barcelona: Botemania (online gaming) could become training kit sponsor for €80m over 4 years

Botemania, the Spanish online casino and gaming platform, is set to become the training kit sponsor of FC Barcelona (Liga BBVA) for €80m over a period of four years (2016-17 to 2019-20), according to the Spanish daily El Mundo Deportivo on 09/10/2015. Barça will receive €18m in the first season, and then a progressive amount eventually totaling €80m over four seasons. Botemania, a subsidiary of the British group Gamesys, is registered in Gibraltar.

Jordi Farré, a former candidate for the club presidency, began negotiations with the company in the summer of 2015. The agreement could be finalised in the coming weeks. Botemania will replace the airline Qatar Airways, which was visible on the training kit -- in addition to the matchday shirt -- in 2015-16. The company remains in negotiations to extend its deal. Qatar Airways has paid a total of €96m, excluding bonuses, during the 2013-14 to 2015-16 period.

FC Barcelona are expected to announce several decisions concerning its sponsorship strategy, including its shirt sponsor, at the annual general assembly of the club on 25/10/2015…