Brazil regularly produces some of the best soccer players in the world. Neymar, Vinicius, Gabriel Jesus, Rodrygo and Richarlison currently lead a team that is one of the most talented teams in the world. And those are just his main attack options. However, the best players in the country tend to transfer to European clubs. Officials inside Brazil want to change this.
The Brasileirao is widely considered to be the best national league in South America. However, the league does not currently have any clubs on Forbes’ annual list of the world’s most valuable teams. However, English Premier League clubs make up more than half of this list. This includes Leeds, Leicester City and West Ham.
Report suggests Brazil’s separatist league mimics EPL
The Financial Times reports that club officials in Brazil want to try to emulate the Premier League in order to help grow the national league within the country with a new breakaway league. This would be done by transferring power from the national federation to the actual clubs.
A club-run system would help make a lot of money when it comes to business opportunities and TV rights. In turn, generating more money would allow clubs to offer higher salaries to players. This could attract the best players to stay in Brazil.
“Our vision is that in 10 years we can reach the French league in terms of overall revenue,” said Lawrence Magrath, co-founder of Codajas Sports Kapital.
“We firmly believe that in 20 years we can be the second largest league in the world, only after the [English] Premier League,” Magrath continued. “We have the raw materials and a time zone that is globally consumer friendly for broadcasts.”
Investment groups from the Middle East and the US in talks with teams
The aforementioned report claims that the group is currently in talks with Mubadala to help finance the move. Mubadala, an Abu Dhabi fund, would potentially invest $890 million for a 20% stake in the project. The plan currently has the support of 26 of the best clubs in Brazil. A group of anonymous US investors is also involved in the negotiations.
However, these discussions will continue to help please all parties involved. Some Brazilian clubs reportedly disagree on the division of potential broadcast revenue. Bigger clubs like Corinthians, Flamengo and Palmeiras are likely to be looking for more money compared to the smaller teams involved.
A possible merger between the two main leagues in Brazil is also on the table. This would mean that the top 40 clubs in the country would possibly agree to just one proposal.
An updated transmission contract with the Globo television network will surely also be discussed this year. This could be an opportune time to strike a new deal with a new league.
PHOTO: IMAGO / Sports Press Photo
