FCBARCELONA.CAT

18.10.2008 13:07

Barça featured in the ‘Financial Times'

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Today’s edition of the top international business paper features an article about Barcelona’s moves to become joint owner of a Major League Soccer franchise.

Barcelona’s bid to take part in a new MLS (Major League Soccer) franchise after 2010 is still creating a lot of interest in the US and international media. After reports appeared in the ‘Miami Herald' and ‘The New York Times', this Saturday the world’s best-selling business paper, the ‘Financial Times', has featured an extensive report on the issue.

“One of the biggest brands in sport”

The newspaper describes Barça as “one of the biggest brands in sport” and argues that “now, Barcelona, with its stars such as Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi, wants a permanent stake in the US market”. The article goes on to say that this means the Catalan club “wants to be at the forefront of those sports businesses” looking to exploit the American market and that its new US presence will make it “even bigger”.

Views of Laporta, Oliver and Claure

The article also discusses comments by Barça figures such as club chairman Joan Laporta, general director Joan Oliver and Marcelo Claure, Barça’s bid partner for the project and a telecoms businessman. “We are developing a global strategy and our strategic interest in the US market is very high,” the FT quotes Laporta as saying.

MLS president happy

The newspaper also reports the comments of Major League Soccer president Mark Abbott: “It is a great sign of the continuing maturation of the league that a club of Barcelona’s stature is interested in bringing its brand to the US.” Abbott also gives figures for growing investor interest and said that the MLS is still growing.

Click here to read the online version of the ‘Financial Times' article about Barcelona’s MLS venture (in English).