Key Barcelona executive resigned amid discrepencies over Nike deal

Barcelona yesterday confirmed in a short statement that Vice President Juli Guiu has resigned effective immediately.

It was a shocking move that came right after Barcelona’s major legal win in the Dani Olmo and Pau Victor registration case.

But while Barcelona cited personal reasons as the reason behind Guiu’s decision to resign. But a recent report from ESPN has shed more light on the subject.

What led to Guiu’s resignation?

As per the report, Guiu’s decision to leave Barcelona came on the back of discrepancies over the Nike deal.

Barcelona announced the deal with Nike towards the end of last year, penning a contract worth over €100 million a year.

It appears Guiu did not agree with some of the terms in the Barcelona deal. As a result, he was sidelined from negotiations.

Guiu also protested the commissions that were paid to agent Darren Dein, who acted as an intermediary between Nike and Barcelona.

Guiu’s sudden departure is sure to send shockwaves across the Barcelona camp, as he was one of the four vice presidents, playing an influential role in the club’s day-to-day activities.

In fact, Guiu, as the one in charge of marketing, had played a critical role in bringing in various sponsors on board, including Spotify.

Spotify later went on to buy the naming rights at Camp Nou, which added significant revenue to the club’s balance sheet.

But with Guiu gone, the club must now find a new face who can take over marketing duties at Barcelona and kickstart the next leg of growth for the Blaugrana.