Benfica presidential candidate João Diogo Manteigas has outlined a strategic vision for securing naming rights for the Estádio da Luz, including ethical vetting criteria and an estimated annual revenue of up to $10 million, asserting discussions with a major American sports firm.
Manteigas stated that the club should have pursued a stadium naming rights deal much sooner as a crucial additional revenue stream. He estimated the current potential value for the stadium’s naming rights to be between $5 million and $10 million annually.
He revealed that he has engaged with a prominent American company, well-known for its extensive investments in the sports sector, particularly Formula 1. This company, according to Manteigas, has consistently been part of discussions around this valuation.
The candidate also emphasized “red lines” for potential sponsors. He declared Benfica would not enter into an agreement with entities such as a Russian company like Gazprom, or firms from Israel or any other nation currently experiencing social upheaval or possessing a public image deemed incompatible with Benfica’s values.
The issue of stadium naming rights has been a consistent topic among the six candidates vying for Benfica’s presidency. Manteigas conveyed his positions during an interview with Rádio Renascença on Tuesday.
Beyond stadium revenue, Manteigas addressed other club matters. He advocated for the suspension of the process to centralize television rights, firmly opposing what he termed the “Robin Hood theory.” This theory, he explained, involves reallocating funds from larger clubs to smaller ones.
While acknowledging the work of Sporting Braga President António Salvador, Manteigas disagreed with Salvador’s view that bigger clubs should contribute more money to their smaller counterparts. He called such a stance “antagonistic” given Salvador’s efforts to build Braga’s competitiveness.
Manteigas also criticized what he described as a growing detachment between Benfica and its members over the past four years. He asserted that members have increasingly been treated as mere “clients.” He noted this trend predated the most recent club mandate, suggesting it developed over 18 prior years.
His campaign platform includes more than 20 proposals aimed at strengthening the bond between Benfica and its members. He stated these initiatives are paramount to his vision for the club.