Proposal provides for clubs to have final power over the league’s strategic decisions
The topic that is dominating behind the scenes of Brazilian football at the moment is the creation of the Unified Club League. The CBF recently brought together representatives from 40 clubs from Series A and B and presented a very concrete initial proposal.
The schedule is ambitious: collecting suggestions from clubs until July, final adjustments in August and September, and approval of the statute scheduled for the end of 2026. The idea is that the first improvements to the Brasileirão product will begin to take effect from the 2027 season onwards.
A The proposal provides for clubs to have final power over the league’s strategic decisions. However, the CBF does not want to be left out: it intends to act as a mediator and remain responsible for the organization of national football as a whole.
In other words, unlike the English Premier League, the Brazilian league would not be completely independent of the CBF.The division of television revenues — one of the most delicate points — was postponed. Current contracts run until 2029, and new negotiations should only come into force in 2030.
Among the points highlighted by the CBF are:
- Reduction of games starting at night (improving the fan experience);
- Increased effective ball rolling time;
- Investments in stadium modernization;
- Strengthening Brasileirão’s marketing;
- Measures to retain talent in Brazil.
An important step after years of impasse. After years of division between Libra and Forte Futebolthis is the first time that the clubs have demonstrated a real willingness to move forward on a unified solution.
The truth is that, alone, the clubs never managed to organize themselves. Now, with the CBF taking on a more active leadership and mediation role, the process gains new momentum.
I spoke to consultants in the sports market and their views are different: One of them perceives discomfort on the part of the clubs, which still defend aa completely independent league and fear that the CBF will continue to exercise excessive power.
Another expert believes that the entity, after years of impasse, decided to take control of the process both to improve the image of Brazilian football and to guarantee its own institutional space.
The next few months will be decisive. It remains to be seen whether this Unified League project will actually get off the ground or whether it will just remain in the field of good intentions and speeches.
*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Jovem Pan.
