Tuma’s comments prompt Caixa to consider new Arena deal for Corinthians

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Central do Timão

·10 September 2025

Tuma’s comments prompt Caixa to consider new Arena deal for Corinthians

By Daniel Keppler / Central do Timão Editorial Team

During the press conference held last Monday, the 8th, at Parque São Jorge, with Romeu Tuma Júnior and Leonardo Pantaleão, respectively the president and vice-president of the Deliberative Council (CD), a statement by the former about Corinthians' debt with Caixa due to the Neo Química Arena generated a negative reaction among fans, especially on social media.

Towards the end of the event, Tuma stated that Corinthians should consider the possibility of halting payments to the bank to use the funds for other expenses. “I am the president of the Council, I don't command anything. (But) I think Corinthians has to solve the problem with Caixa. Otherwise, stop paying, stop paying for the stadium. Pay the debts we have that are more urgent to avoid blocking. Stop paying, that's it. Start from there. We have to find a solution, we don't have money”, he said.

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Photo: Bruno Granja/Corinthians

The statement resulted in a response from the bank, made by its president Carlos Antônio Vieira Fernandes to ESPN, who sought him out for a report published on Tuesday, the 9th. According to him, the institution is not opposed to dialoguing with Corinthians for a possible adjustment in the current agreement aimed at settling the debt the club currently holds, which is around R$ 645 million.

He also mentioned that Caixa itself has already suggested a solution to the club for the impasse, through the implementation of an investment fund, whose shares would be sold to fans at affordable prices, with Corinthians' debt to the bank as collateral.

“If you [Corinthians] say you have 35 million fans, and you get 15 million of those fans with each buying a share, and I know there are people who would buy much more than one, at R$ 100 there would still be money left to do a lot of things, besides paying the debt. The debt would be settled and you would have this fund with the stadium linked to it. All within an investment fund.”

For the president of Caixa, such a project would help “revolutionize the perception of asset management of Brazilian clubs,” by using the power of the fans to enable the payment of the debt, with the profits from the operation being directed to the club after the settlement.

It is worth noting that the current board is working on another front to attract more revenue with the stadium. There is an internal movement to increase earnings from the arena's naming rights, with president Osmar Stabile seeking to receive proposals of at least R$ 70 million annually for the space. Betting companies are among the initially interested parties.

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