Grêmio’s U-turn: why the club stayed in Libra over FFU | OneFootball

Grêmio explored leaving Libra for Futebol Forte União to ease cash pressures, but after twists it stayed in the same broadcast bargaining bloc.

The move boosted leverage and aligned the club with Flamengo on recalculating Libra’s TV split. According to Estadão, Flamengo will send R$ 24 million to Grêmio between 2026 and 2029 as a gratuity for that partnership.

The board had even called a council vote in February. An FFU entry looked like R$ 96 million for 10% of rights over 50 years, but a late arrival would have cut that, as others signed in 2023.

Influential figures also pressed against a switch, with no names disclosed. Grêmio now has a seat on Libra’s management committee, CEO Alex Leitão is its voice, and the club values not pre-selling rights to keep future bargaining power.

The board says it has not taken Libra-linked loans. A 15-year bank deal initially appealed, but terms were understood to be shifting from 5% to 14%, so it fell through.

Grêmio believes it is more influential, yet the hoped-for funds have not arrived. June wages, including image rights, missed the deadline, with payment promised once the first sums from Viery’s sale to Fiorentina land.

Outstanding amounts include 400 thousand euros owed to Anderlecht for Amuzu and 200 thousand dollars to River Plate of Uruguay over Arezo’s loan to Peñarol. The Uruguayans have already gone to FIFA.

Source: Globo.com