Barça: Rakuten provides "experience of big data, communications, and e-commerce" (J. Bartomeu)

"We are delighted with our agreement with Rakuten, a global brand in innovation whose experience and know-how in the fields of big data, communications and e-commerce will contribute to the future success of FC Barcelona. This agreement puts us at the forefront of sports club sponsorships, which has always been an objective for the current board of directors," said Josep Maria Bartomeu, the FC Barcelona president, on 16/11/2016.

Rakuten, a Japanese group specialising in Internet services (e-commerce, finance, digital content), became the global innovation and entertainment partner of FC Barcelona (LaLiga Santander), on 16/11/2016. This partnership will see Rakuten become the main shirt sponsor of Barça from 01/07/2017, for four seasons (2017-2021), with an additional optional season (2021-22). The financial amount is €55m per season, excluding sporting performance bonuses (clauses include €1.5m for winning LaLiga Santander and €5m for winning the Champions League).

"This partnership opportunity is set to power our global brand strategy and, more importantly, as the Global Innovation…