Barcelona has sold a 24.5 percent stake in their broadcast studio to production company Orpheus Media for 100 million euros ($102.93 million), the LaLiga club said on Friday, seeking to raise more funds to sign up new players.
This agreement comes after last month the club signed another with the company of ‘Fan Tokens’ (digital tokens) Socios.com to sell 25% of its stake in Barça Studios.
“With these investments, Barça Studios’ strategic partners demonstrate confidence in the value of the project and the future of digital content in the world of sport,” the club said in a statement
Barça have been using various mechanisms to increase their revenues in order to offset losses, reduce their debt and comply with LaLiga’s financial fair play rules.
These deals come after the club last month sold an additional 15% stake in its LaLiga tv rights to US venture capital group Sixth Street, bringing the latter to a 25% stake.
Barca signed Brazilian winger Raphinha from Leeds United and Polish striker Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich after a first investment from Sixth Street, which bought 10%.
The club has also signed players such as Jules Koundé, Franck Kessié and Andreas Christensen, among others, and Spanish media report that more could arrive.
Barca need to meet LaLiga’s salary cap to sign up their new signings, and new investment deals, as well as the possible sale of Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong, could allow him to receive the go-ahead from the league.
The club’s president, Joan Laporta, who presided over one of Barca’s most successful stints between 2003 and 2010, said in August 2021 that its debts amounted to €1.35 billion, of which €673 million was owed to banks.
In June, Barça approved the sale of a minority part of its licensing and merchandising division and the transfer of up to 25% of its revenue from LaLiga’s television rights.
The club also signed a jersey and stadium sponsorship deal with Spotify (NYSE:SPOT) in a €280 million deal and approved in December financial plans to renovate the Camp Nou, which include raising an additional €1.5 billion in debt.
Xavi Hernandez’s side will begin their LaLiga campaign at home against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.