Alejandro Bonazzola on ADN: AFA TV rights and the latest on Colón | OneFootball

Alejandro Bonazzola, 3rd Vice President of Colón, gave a phone interview to the program ADN, hosted by Darío Pignata on Radio Gol 96.7, to discuss crucial issues affecting both the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and the red-and-black club. The main conversation revolved around an important meeting at the AFA, which he attended as a representative of Colón, where the new method for contracting the television rights of Argentine football was discussed. He was also asked about several hot institutional topics concerning the current management.

AFA Broadcasting and Promotion

Bonazzola attended a meeting at the AFA where President Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia explained the new method for contracting television rights after the contract with TyC Sports/Trisa ended last December.

Contracting Method: The AFA is looking to subdivide the rights into three different blocks to receive different offers and achieve greater revenue. The goal is to “create 3 blocks to receive different offers and achieve higher and more positive or elevated offers from different companies.”

Increase in Revenue and Democratization: Tapia assured that there would be “at least the same money as in 2025” and the expectation is for a “more than significant increase” that “will also trickle down to the clubs.” Additionally, there is a push for greater “democratization in access to the broadcasting of matches so that all clubs, all supporters, and all fans of those clubs have the possibility to watch the match their team is playing.”

Right of First Refusal: By contract, TyC Sports/Trisa maintains a “right of first refusal which always allows them to match higher offers and secure the contract for broadcasting.”

Deadlines: The deadline to submit offers is Monday, January 26 at 4:00 p.m. at the AFA headquarters, and offers must be in writing.

Current Situation at Colón

Bonazzola also addressed several topics related to the management of the new board of directors at Colón.

Financial Crisis: The current management found a “virtual cessation of payments, a club frozen in time in every area.” José Alonso, the club president, mentioned that from 27 million pesos in net income under the previous management, Colón is now receiving “less than 10 million pesos, which deepens the crisis.”

The José Neris Case: The player belongs to Colón and must report for training. “We have received two offers, one very significant from a club in Argentina and another relayed to us by the player’s own agent.” However, the player is prioritizing offers from abroad, and none have met the club’s expectations. Neris and his camp have been “given an ultimatum to resolve this issue.”

Espinola and “Pulga” Rodríguez Issues: The “thorn in the side” was the Espinola issue, whose ban was successfully lifted after “a great deal of management.” Regarding “Pulga” Rodríguez, a “dignified ending” was achieved, and the relationship with the player, an “emblem of the institution,” is “completely cordial.”

Transfer Market: Work is being done to finalize the full squad. Names like Rasmussen and Kevin López are close, but “they are not the only” options. The work was done quickly as requested by the head coach and Diego Colotto, who is in charge of football.

Social Growth: Despite the difficulties, there is enthusiasm among the people, with Colón “approaching” 25,000 members and selling out season tickets, which shows that the roadmap set by José Alonso was the right one.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.