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Barca sells media rights

FC Barcelona has agreed to sell a 10 per cent stake in its media rights for a 25-year period to US investment group Sixth Street, in a deal that will deliver more than €200m to shore up the club's troubled finances.   The club may consider selling another 15 per cent later in the summer to bring the stake to 25 per cent.

Barcelona's finances have been affected by a pile up of short-term debt obligations.  The club opted to sell its own media rights rather than take part in La Liga's deal with private equity group CVC Capital Partners.

For Sixth Street, the deal comes after it agreed to a separate investment in Real Madrid.  The Boston-based fund will pay €360m to partner with Real Madrid on refurbishing the Bernabéu stadium and a live events package over a 20-year period.

Barcelona has permission from the club's general assembly to sell 49 per cent of its merchandising and sponsorship business.

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