The battle for Benfica’s future is heating up, and the focus isn’t just on the pitch. Martim Mayer, a challenger in the upcoming club elections, has sharply questioned President Rui Costa’s moves regarding TV rights. Costa recently mentioned he has offers for the 2026-2028 seasons. Mayer, speaking at Benfica fan houses in Vizela and Barcelos this Saturday, voiced his surprise. He felt it was wrong for the current president to talk about such a big deal right before a major vote.
Mayer believes striking a new TV rights deal before the October 25th elections is reckless. Benfica’s current contract runs until the end of this season. “It was a shock to hear the Benfica president announce two offers are on the table,” Mayer stated. “He said they weren’t accepted yet, hoping for higher values. But the club’s current deal is still active. It’s incredibly irresponsible to commit to a new agreement before the election. The board that gets elected must make this critical decision.”
The candidate also criticized how the news came out. He found it “lamentable” that Costa revealed these offers during a campaign event. Mayer stressed that such important financial information should come through official club channels, not election rallies. “Members shouldn’t be the last to know,” he added. “This topic is vital for the club’s financial health. It shouldn’t just be an election promise.” He made these points while in Barcelos, where he watched Benfica play AVS SAD on José Mourinho’s debut, alongside Mayor Mário Constantino.
Mayer wants full openness from the club. He pushed for clarity on several fronts. “It’s important to be transparent,” he insisted. “Show the members who the potential buyers are. Tell us the estimated income increase compared to the current contract. And review the club’s position on centralizing TV rights.” Mayer has been clear for months: this issue is crucial for Benfica. He believes Rui Costa has simply avoided the process, and other candidates offer only empty promises.
Martim Mayer, the grandson of Borges Coutinho, has his own ideas for the audiovisual rights. He suggests two main paths. First, the club could auction off the TV rights directly to telecom companies. The deal would go to whoever pays the most. His second idea involves centralization. Mayer proposes Benfica should ask the league to bring in a major strategic investor. This investor would need to pump in serious money, like 400 or 500 million euros. It should be a global player in TV rights, one with open channels to really boost Portuguese football’s value.