Flamengo blocked a 70 million reais payment to other Brazilian clubs

The Rio de Janeiro club filed a legal appeal and sparked a battle over television rights among the teams of the Brazilian Football League (LIBRA).

The payment, equivalent to 14 million dollars, was owed by broadcaster O Globo to LIBRA clubs, but Flamengo deemed the amount unfair and requested a review of the broadcasting contract terms.

LIBRA is an entity created in 2022 by Flamengo, Palmeiras, Corinthians, São Paulo, Santos, and three other teams. In 2024, it signed an agreement with Grupo O Globo for broadcasting rights of the Brasileirão until 2029.

That contract establishes revenue distribution as follows: 40% equally among the clubs, 30% based on each team’s final position in the tournament, and 30% according to the audience generated by each.

In the meantime, Flamengo underwent a change in leadership, and its new president, Luiz Baptista, questioned the criteria established in 2024. He claims that the club receives 20% of the total audience revenue, even though its fanbase represents 47% of LIBRA’s total supporters.

The injunction filed in Rio de Janeiro’s court was heavily criticized by other Brazilian clubs, especially Palmeiras, which stated in an official note that “they would be one of the direct beneficiaries if the contract were modified as Flamengo requested,” but nevertheless “they understand they do not play alone and defend the collective growth of Brazilian football.”