Delays vary from two to three months among the São Paulo cast; with debt close to R$1 billion at the start of the season, the club did not spend on signings and trimmed the squad
There are delays in paying for the image rights of its players. Even though formal salaries are up to date, there are additional installments pending. Delays vary from two to three months among the São Paulo cast. São Paulo will not officially comment and will not confirm the debt owed to the players. Athletes and clubs usually agree to pay salaries in part via CLT and another portion in image rights, with payments to a legal entity.
It is this second fraction that usually has delays, as the General Sports Law provides for the possibility of unilateral termination in cases of at least two consecutive months of salary delays via formal contract. If the delay is equal to or greater than two months, the athlete may refuse to train and compete without suffering punishment.
In contrast, the fee paid by the board to the players was slightly readjusted, even before the defeat to Mirassol, on Sunday. A new meeting should take place this Tuesday. President Júlio Casares wants to increase presence in the Barra Funda CT. To do this, he also ‘summoned’ the CEO of São Paulo, Márcio Carlomagno, who also usually works at MorumBis, to the CT. The club dreams of a place in the Libertadores, which became more distant after three defeats in the last three rounds
According to calculations by the Department of Mathematics at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), São Paulo has a 4.4% chance of qualifying for the continental competition. The financial crisis set the tone for São Paulo’s year. With debt close to R$1 billion at the start of the season, the club did not spend on signings and trimmed the squad. Controversial jewelry sales organized by the club were alternatives to make cash
Austerity is also one of the requirements of the Credit Rights Investment Fund (FIDC), managed by Galápagos and Outfield and which amortizes the club’s debt with banks and financial institutions. In a report released this month, it is pointed out that the São Paulo club had a drop of R$56 million in its debt, despite having an increase in football-related expenses.
Until October, São Paulo’s total debt fell from R$968 million, recorded in December 2024, to R$912 million. This drop was driven by bank debt, which fell by 22% in the period (R$259.2 million to R$202.2 million). The report also highlights that the club managed to pay off bank installments, tax debts and payments relating to federative rights, which totaled R$ 17.2 million in debt.
One of the proposals to increase revenue is the Cotia Participation Investment Fund (FIP). In practice, the São Paulo base training center would be separate from the club and would have an external investor, who would also share the income. The matter was debated informally, before actually being presented in a session at the Deliberative Council, but the strategy now is to wait for the end of the season.
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
