The delicate economic situation of Barcelona, the same that forced Leo Messi to resign in the main section, is for everyone. Basketball is not getting rid of it and in the offices the budget adjustment has been prioritized this summer, as a good example are the retouching in the agreement with Cory Higgins or the departures of Adam Hanga and Víctor Claver for the only arrival as forward by Nigel Hayes. There is, however, another case that worries not only for the immediate future but also for the medium and long term: that of Nikola Mirotic. With the ’33’ the relationship is strained and the negotiation for a salary cut, which is seen as capital if this type of workforce is to be maintained also in the Laporta era, it is in neutral.
Tot Costa (Catalunya Ràdio) revealed last week that the club was even considering breaking the contract unilaterally by “low performance”, but it is only an excuse to put pressure on this negotiation. Despite the fact that the player may have failed at some key moment, he is still the MVP of an Endesa League final against Real Madrid and in a season in which two titles have been won and the Euroleague.
As you may have known ACE, Barcelona has tried the reduction and Mirotic has refused it. The renewal of last year, which takes him until 2025 as a Barça player, was forced by the element of the pandemic but there was not a salary cut but the classic stretching of the NBA: the years are prolonged to lengthen the payments and to owe him less in each season. Mirotic arrived in 2019 at Barça direct from the US and signing a contract of more than 30 million gross for three years plus an optional one. It charges about four net on average, by far the most in Europe, and with percentage increases per year.
The relationship with the incoming president, Joan Laporta (in office since last spring), and his collaborators is not at all fluid for the one who is the great star of the staff and in the year in which the final blow has to be struck if you want to establish a dynasty. The power forward born in Podgorica 30 years ago considers, according to his surroundings, that you do not have to cut your salary because you have forgiven enough money to get to Barça (he had an offer of 45 million from the Jazz shortly before giving the definitive yes to the Catalans). It is because of that the intention right now is far from making that cut necessary. This refusal could have a repercussion similar to that of Messi, catastrophic at the sports and image level, if Mirotic’s opinion is not changed soon because Barça, despite the first signing and the subsequent maqueo, does not have money to deal with such an agreement.
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