August 25 – In an open letter, Brazilian broadcaster Globo has committed to the future of the game, reassuring the country’s professional clubs in the Serie A and Serie B that it supports “clubs’ collective bargaining for their broadcasting rights” despite impending legal changes.
The Lei do Mandante, already approved in Brasilia’s chamber of deputies, but still subject to scrutiny in the federal senate before becoming law, will allow the home club the right to negotiate broadcast deals without the agreement of the other club on the pitch. In the past, an agreement required the green light of both clubs involved.
The new bill will dramatically alter the broadcast landscape and revenue streams in the Brazilian game, but Globo, long-time partner of the Brazilian game, has reassured clubs that the new legal framework will not diminish their commitment.
The Lei includes the Emenda Globo clause, which freezes contracts running until 2024 and foresees the application of the new law from this year onwards.
Globo said: “We would like to take this opportunity to reinforce and register here our understanding that the change in legislation brought about by the bill, already approved in the Chamber of Deputies, which gives the home team the stadium rights, if that is your clubs’ desire, could be more a step in this evolution.
“[It is] an advance on the path of giving more autonomy and flexibility, as long as the contracts already signed are respected, in favour of the legal security of the entire system. We even support clubs’ collective bargaining for their broadcasting rights, as occurs in the world’s major leagues (even in countries that adopt the home rights system in legislation) to ensure that clubs are able to maximise their earnings, without causing market imbalance.
“Regardless of the negotiation model, Globo will maintain its historic partnership with clubs, their federations and with Brazilian football, contributing to the development of the entire market and to the enhancement of the show.”
In June, Brazil’s 40 top clubs convened to discuss the future of the Brazilian league with the Brazilian Confederation of Football (CBF) in turmoil. Proposals for the clubs to take control of the league away from the CBF are gaining momentum. The clubs believe that the broadcast deal can be improved as well, with or without Globo. Globo’s statement would appear to indicate that it is more likely to be with them.
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