GMB - Fortaleza was one of the first clubs to have a bookmaker as a sponsor and today, despite being another brand, it maintains a partnership with a company of the sector. How do you evaluate these deals? What did they add to the club? Did you have any problems with this sponsorship due to COVID-19?
Victor Simpsom - We evaluate in the best possible way. No wonder we were the first club in Brazil to have a sponsorship with a company of this type last year and in season 2020, we have the master sponsor, which is Sportnet, with an excellent contract for Fortaleza.
What we can point out as something new is that they are companies that are used to activating their brand a lot. So, we have managed to make a lot of moves with our fans involving the sponsor. We usually do things in person or on the internet activating the partnership a lot, what is very good and interesting for us.
Regarding the pandemic, we had no problems with sponsorship. We are talking to all partners. It is normal to sit down to talk, adjust some situations, but we cannot point out any kind of problem.
Based on your experience, do you believe that the regulation of sports betting in progress can be a good reinforcement for clubs being approved soon after the current crisis due to the coronavirus?
I believe that the regulation will speed up the entry process of these companies, which today is already very high, since more than 50% of Serie A clubs in the Brazilian Championship are sponsored by companies in the sector; and I believe that this tends to increase. We have the example of the Premier League in England, which is perhaps the most successful league in the world, where practically all teams have some sector sponsorship. So, I think that this regulation will speed up a process that is already going very well today. It will not change the flow so much, some companies are already entering strongly because they want to be ahead so that when the regulation comes they will already be in the minds of Brazilian passionate football fans.
The president of Bahia, Guilherme Bellintani, said in a recent interview that the stoppage of the championships allowed the clubs to talk more among them, with the government and the CBF, in online sessions. At any of these meetings did the subject of sports betting come on the agenda? Are there any expectations from clubs for regulations to come out as soon as possible?
I think not. The regulation being approved, as I said mentioned, will speed up a process that already exists today and is already quite fast. I do not believe that there is any influence from the clubs so that this can come out as soon as possible. I think it is natural, the clubs obviously follow the process, but there is no political involvement to make it happen faster or slower, but it is certainly interesting.
Regarding the meetings that have been taking place between clubs, government and CBF, we in the commercial sector of Fortaleza participate very little in this type of communication that is mostly done by presidents and other representatives and legal sectors. I confess that I cannot say if there is a stronger debate regarding sports betting. I don't think this is the time for this. The time is really to discuss the schedule, the return of games, the format of the ongoing competitions and I believe that it is not something that is currently being discussed.
How has Fortaleza followed the process of regulating sports betting? Do you believe that the recent changes to the concession model and the departure of Secretary Alexandre Manoel may further delay the development of the final draft?
Fortaleza has been following this regulation advance in a totally exempt manner. As it is in the interest not only of Fortaleza, but of all Brazilian football, and not only football because I think this market has the potential to be in other sports as well; so, we follow, but, we do not participate effectively in anything and any movement that will pressure for it. We have followed, but in a more external way.
Among the controversial issues in the regulation of sports betting are the royalties for club’s image usage rights, which is not included in the basic law for regulation? How does clubs see this issue? Is there any movement planned for this to be changed?
I have not followed discussions in this direction, and I think that the clubs do not. I think it is time to wait for, at a certain time, that this is approved and regulated, clubs feel and talk to companies in the sector about the best model. I think this will be discussed in due course and it will certainly be a good thing for all sides, both for clubs and companies.
With the COVID-19pandemic, eSports have grown a lot in bookmakers and many believe that this will consolidate the activity as an option for the sector. Does Fortaleza have a project with eSports? Do you intend to integrate your brand with the modality also with a view to exposure on betting sites?
It is true. I myself have accompanied on the website of EsporteNet, our sponsor, sometimes I play there, and I have made bets on eSports. But as I said: they are opportunities. In this pandemic moment, we see many nebulous things, without much clarity, but we also see many chances. And we are not standing still. Fortaleza is always looking for better opportunities and eSports has proven to be one of the good ones. We will have some local competitions in which the club will participate, even with its athletes, promoting interaction between players, fans and this is very interesting. We intend to better understand this market and who knows, it may be something nice for the club in the future. It is not exactly my area, but opportunities are likely to arise.
Source: Exclusive Games Magazine Brasil
