Portuguese giants believe they would be the club most affected by the new broadcasting model
Benfica have once again defended the postponement of the centralised sale of television rights in Portuguese football, arguing that the club would be the biggest financial loser under the new model scheduled to begin in the 2028/29 season.
In a statement published in the club newspaper and on Benfica’s official website, the Eagles stressed that, as the Portuguese club generating the highest television revenues, they would suffer the greatest impact from the implementation of the new system.
The Lisbon club also highlighted that the recently signed two-year agreement with NOS, negotiated under what Benfica described as “adverse market conditions”, will generate revenues of €57.1 million.
According to Benfica, the estimated current value of Portuguese football television rights — believed to be between €170 million and €180 million — is not sufficient to fulfil the promise that no club would lose revenue under the centralised distribution model.
“Even the €225 million recently mentioned during the Liga General Assembly would still be insufficient,” Benfica stated.
Benfica question the current centralisation model
The club recalled that several football officials had publicly defended initiatives designed to improve Portuguese football and increase its competitiveness at European level.
However, Benfica argue that they have repeatedly warned about the risks associated with implementing a model based on “uncertain or outdated assumptions”.
Among the concerns raised by the club are what they describe as overly optimistic revenue projections, inadequate anti-piracy legislation and rapid technological developments in content distribution that require new commercial solutions.
Benfica also criticised the lack of progress in improving the overall value of the Portuguese football product since the government pushed forward with the centralisation process.
The club pointed to issues such as stadium access conditions, matchday experience, lighting standards and overall game quality as areas where “little or nothing has been done” to increase the attractiveness and market value of the league.
Benfica want model reconsidered before implementation
In conclusion, Benfica believe the best solution would be to postpone the implementation of centralised television rights, rethink the current structure and first create the conditions necessary to genuinely increase the value of Portuguese football before selling it collectively.
The debate surrounding broadcasting rights continues to divide Portuguese football, with concerns growing over financial sustainability and competitive balance among the country’s top clubs.
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