Fernando Veiga Gomes looks ahead to the future of Portuguese football
Fernando Veiga Gomes was interviewed by ECO about the centralisation of audiovisual rights, the sustainability of football clubs and the growth of foreign investment in Portuguese football.
The lawyer believes that the centralisation of broadcasting rights has come late, but could contribute to a more balanced distribution of revenues and greater competitiveness. “If we can maintain the current size of the pie and distribute it more effectively, I think that would already be a victory.” This first cycle should be regarded as a starting point. The immediate objective will be to prevent a decline in revenues and create the conditions to increase the value of the League, generating higher returns in subsequent cycles.
He also highlights the need to promote the competition’s international rights, tackle piracy and improve the product offered to broadcasters. Enhancing the value of Portuguese football also requires a fan-focused strategy capable of attracting larger crowds to stadiums and making broadcasts more appealing.
The interview also addresses the growing interest of international investors in European football. US investors, in particular, believe there is still considerable “low-hanging fruit” in the sector, identifying investment opportunities and assets with significant potential for value appreciation. Portugal remains attractive due to its ability to develop players and increase their market value, the competitive standard of its leagues and prices that remain accessible compared with Europe’s leading markets. The World Cup in the United States has further strengthened this interest, which may increase further with the 2030 FIFA World Cup, hosted by Portugal, Spain and Morocco.
