By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Joan Laporta, currently seeking a new mandate as the president of FC Barcelona, has pledged a significant expansion of the financial resources dedicated to the club’s basketball division for the 2026-27 season. Speaking to Catalunya Radio, Laporta confirmed that he has already held strategic discussions with head coach Xavi Pascual regarding a budget increase aimed at maintaining the team’s elite status on the European stage. This commitment forms a central pillar of his platform as the club approaches the pivotal presidential election scheduled for this Sunday.
The proposed financial boost follows a period of calculated austerity. For the current 2025-26 campaign, the basketball department operates on a total budget of €40.2 million. A detailed breakdown of the club’s economic report reveals that €29.25 million is currently allocated to gross salaries for players and coaching staff, resulting in a net wage bill of approximately €14.5 million. The remaining expenditure is distributed between operating expenses at €9.11 million, equipment and supplies at €1.22 million, and fixed asset depreciation at €0.61 million. Laporta’s plan suggests that these figures must rise to ensure the roster can compete with the escalating spending of other EuroLeague giants.
The timing of this announcement is particularly significant as the team navigates a demanding schedule. Barcelona currently holds an eighth-place standing in the EuroLeague with a 17-13 record and sits third in Spain’s Liga Endesa with a 15-6 tally.
By promising greater investment, Laporta aims to provide the sporting stability necessary to navigate these challenges. As the election has narrowed down to a head-to-head battle between Laporta and Víctor Font, the debate over the club’s multisport budget remains a deciding factor for members concerned with the long-term competitiveness of the storied club.