The pressure on Porto to sell players is expected to increase following the FIFA debacle, as revenue from next year’s Club World Cup in the United States is expected to be lower than the Blues had forecast.
FIFA had been negotiating a global deal with Apple to broadcast a new version of the Club World Cup, expanded to 32 teams, in 2025. The idea was to boost revenue by making games available via streaming instead of television (including closed circuit television). But with the North American giant offering just €1 billion (a quarter of the €4 billion FIFA was asking for), the deal fell through.
FIFA this week launched a bidding process for rights in the Americas (North and South America), Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. The same process will be repeated in Europe later. But all analysts take it for granted that revenues will be lower than expected, and in the host country, the United States, there is even speculation that the bidding may be postponed.
Porto, like Benfica, another of the 29 clubs already qualified, had been expecting €50 million in participation bonuses that had been promised behind the scenes. If that figure is confirmed to be much lower – Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti had spoken of €20 million a few weeks ago – or until the competition is postponed, Porto will have to make up for the lack of income.
This commitment will increase the pressure to sell players, ultimately at a price lower than what SAD wants. This is the case of Diogo Costa (€75 million release clause) or Francisco Conceição (€45 million protection).
Author: Joao Moniz
Source: CM Jornal
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