BARCELONA: Barcelona have sold a further 15% stake in their La Liga TV rights for the next 25 years to US private equity group Sixth Street, the club said on Friday, with The Financial Times reporting the investment is worth more than 300 million euros ($305.64 million).

Sixth Street have now purchased 25% of Barcelona’s income from La Liga TV rights, having bought 10% for 207.5 million euros on June 30.

Barcelona signed Brazil winger Raphinha from Leeds United and Poland striker Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich following the first investment from Sixth Street.

“We continue to move forward on our strategy and are pleased to have completed this additional agreement with Sixth Street providing us with a meaningful increase in capital strength,” said Barcelona president Joan Laporta.

Laporta, who presided over one of Barca’s most successful periods between 2003 and 2010, said in August 2021 that the club’s debts totalled 1.35 billion euros, 673 million of which was owed to banks.

Last month, Barcelona approved the sale of a minority share of their licensing and merchandising division and the cession of up to 25% of their income from their La Liga TV rights.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2022