Barcelona treasurer assures club’s finances are under control – ‘We’re not a sick patient’ | OneFootball

FC Barcelona treasurer Ferran Olive has reaffirmed that Barça Licensing and Merchandising (BLM) is not for sale, putting an end to the recurring speculation surrounding the matter.

Speaking during the Ordinary General Assembly, Olive made it clear that the club’s board of directors has never considered selling any percentage of the merchandising division, which continues to be one of Barcelona’s key sources of revenue.

The statement came after President Joan Laporta’s opening remarks, followed by the assembly’s approval of the club’s financial statements for the 2024–25 financial year.

Defending the finances

Despite recording overall losses of €17 million due to extraordinary factors, the club posted an ordinary profit of €2 million.

When he took the stage, Olive defended the figures, noting that the auditor had not issued any reservations in the report.

He used an interesting analogy to describe the club’s financial condition, saying, “Economically speaking, we do not have a sick patient today. Barça is a gentleman who is at home living a normal life.”

However, he followed that with a note of caution. “But we have to be careful. We have to keep an eye on sports spending.

“Sometimes great sporting successes come with great economic defeats,” he added, warning that the wage bill must remain under control to avoid past mistakes.

No plans to sell BLM

Adopting a firm yet educational tone, Olive addressed rumours about BLM with complete transparency.

Joan Laporta gave a half-hour speech. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)

He categorically denied any plans to sell a stake in the club’s merchandising business, calling out those who had used the topic for political gain.

“There are people who have used this issue purely for electoral purposes. At no point has this board of directors considered selling 49% of BLM.

“I don’t understand how there are still people who we have already explained this to and who continue to insist on it,” he said.

Olive also shed light on the situation regarding Barça Productions, explaining that its devaluation was largely responsible for the extraordinary losses seen in the financial report.

Despite his detailed explanation, many delegates reportedly struggled to grasp the technical aspects of the issue.

In closing, Olive reassured members that Barcelona’s economic situation is “under control” and that the club is in a position to meet all its financial obligations.

He once again pointed to the gradual return to Spotify Camp Nou as a major factor that will drive future revenue growth.

Reflecting on the board’s long-term vision, he remarked, “If we had only thought of ourselves, we would already have positive net equity.

“The financial results would be extraordinary, but we would have destroyed the club in the future,” he concluded.

Source: AS