In the notification, the entity argues that the objective is to standardize the visual identity of the competition. The letter is signed by its director of competitions, Julio Avellar, and legal manager, Regina Sampaio.
The initiative caused apprehension among club directors and their sponsors. All members of Série B have contracts with bookmakers, which have exclusivity clauses, to avoid the presence in the uniforms of competitors in the segment.
This Friday (5), the subject was discussed in a meeting with the three parties directly involved: clubs, CBF and Brax, the company that bought the commercial rights of Série B and mediates the negotiations. The teams plan to make a decision on whether or not to use the patch this Monday (8).
Reason for conflict
The patch produced by the CBF bears the brand of Betano, holder of the naming rights for Série B. Inserting it in the right sleeve of the clubs' shirts would cause them to have problems with their respective sponsors, as the exclusivity of the segment would be broken.
Managers sought out the confederation in recent days, therefore, to review the situation. Mário Marroquim, president of CRB, was one of the top hats to look for Regina Sampaio, legal manager of CBF.
Regina responded in a four-minute audio, with the authorization for the president to pass it on to the other pairs. The lawyer said that it is necessary to "dissociate the sponsorship of the uniform from a title sponsor [the ones that names the championship]".
“Serie B already had a title sponsor with a betting company, which was Sporting Bet. We replaced, as a matter of early rupture, with Betano, which came to compose the revenues that will integrate this annual quota of Série B,” said the legal manager.
“At all, the CBF does not want to cause any conflict between uniform sponsorship and title sponsorship. They are absolutely different properties, marketed by CBF itself in a different way. We have static advertising contracts and title sponsor contracts. The patch simply reproduces the name of the competition and absolutely does not want to harm clubs,” continued Regina.
(Copy of official letter sent by CBF to Serie B clubs about patch — Photo: Reproduction)
Since receiving the notification from the CBF, last Tuesday, directors of the Série B clubs have been meeting with their sponsors to assess the situation.
“There is a need to respect contracts and establish dialogue to resolve any conflicts,” says Júlio Heerdt, president of Avaí.
Adson Batista, president of Atlético-GO, is confident that the solution to the problem will be found soon.
“There is a conflict, because all clubs have signed contracts with sports betting companies. As it has the name Betano, it could cause a conflict of interest, so we are evaluating it to make a decision together. CBF's legal department, through Dr. Regina, has treated us in a very healthy way. I believe we will have a friendly solution,” says Adson.
Discomfort between sponsors
ge news outlet heard representatives of companies that sponsor clubs in Série B. In all, the consulted brands correspond to more than half of the teams. And the position is consensual: although none intends to manifest itself publicly, in order not to erode commercial relations with the CBF, the patch initiative caused discomfort.
The sponsors are in contact with club leaders and expect that they will be able to stop the application of the patch.
“We got in touch with the clubs we sponsor and were very honest: if this happens, we will seek legal means to break the contract and perhaps demand a fine, for breaching exclusivity,” said the director of one of the sponsors.
Sought by the report, the CBF chose not to manifest itself.
List of Serie B clubs sponsored by bookmakers:
ABC - Esportes da Sorte
Atlético-GO – Blaze
Avaí – Pixbet
Botafogo-SP – Estrelabet
Ceará – Estrelabet
Chapecoense – Brbet
CRB – Estrelabet
Criciúma - Estrela.bet
Guarani - Esportes da Sorte
Ituano - Betfast.io
Juventude – Pixbet
Londrina - Esportes da Sorte
Mirassol - Bet7k
Novorizontino - Esportes da Sorte
Ponte Preta - Estrela.bet
Sampaio Corrêa – Pagbet
Sport – Betnacional
Tombense – Valsports
Source: Globoesporte / GMB
