Grêmio and Internacional are in an advanced stage of negotiations with a new master sponsor. According to information from the Rio Grande do Sul press, Alfa, a sports betting house, showed interest in stamping its brand on the uniforms of both clubs.
If the agreement is closed, the sponsorship debut could take place in the Grenal classic on Saturday (02/08). If confirmed, the agreement will represent another significant movement in the sports betting market in the Brasileirão Series A.
Furthermore, the symbolic impact will be great, as Grêmio and Inter have had a long sponsorship contract with Banrisul, the state bank of Rio Grande do Sul, for more than two decades.
Alfa’s proposal could reach R$70 million annually
Since then, Grêmio and Inter have started conversations with several bookmakers interested in the main space of their uniforms.
The value of the contract was a determining factor in the non-continuation of sponsorship with Banrisul. The bank paid R$30 million annually to each club, in addition to providing loans at strategic moments.
However, with increased competition between bookmakers, the market became more competitive, and Banrisul chose to maintain the same value previously offered.
Alfa would have presented a proposal of R$50 million per year for each club, with the possibility of bonuses that would increase the value to up to R$70 million. These extras would be linked to winning titles and participating in the Libertadores.
Before moving forward with Alfa, Grêmio and Inter also negotiated with other companies in the sector. Among those interested were Esportes da Sorte and KTO, but the negotiations did not progress.
Internacional and Grêmio could be among the biggest sponsorships in Brazil
If the agreement with Alfa is completed, Grêmio and Inter will share 9th place among the biggest sponsorships in Brazilian football. The updated list presents the following annual values:
- Flamengo (PixBet) – R$ 115 milhões
- Corinthians (Esportes da Sorte) – R$ 103 milhões
- Palmeiras (Sportingbet) – R$ 100 milhões
- Vasco (Betfair) – R$ 70 milhões
- Atlético-MG (H2Bet) – R$ 60 milhões
- Santos (Blaze) – R$ 55 milhões
- Botafogo (Vbet) – R$55 milhões
- Fluminense and São Paulo (Superbet) – R$ 52 milhões
- Grêmio and Inter (Alfabet) – R$ 50 milhões (in negotiation)
- Cruzeiro (Betfair) – R$ 40 milhões
Historically, brands that negotiate with Grêmio and Inter seek joint agreements. This occurs because there is fear of a boycott by fans of one of the clubs if the brand only sponsors the rival.
The rivalry between the two has generated curious situations in the past. One example was Coca-Cola, which changed the color of its banners at the Arena do Grêmio (and previously at the Estádio Olímpico), replacing the traditional red with blue to avoid association with Inter.
