SL Benfica's 400 Million Possibilites

Although the Benfica NOS deal is still not hundred percent clear to everyone (except the parties involved) what is well known is hat Benfica has sold their TV rights for €400 million over the next 10 years. For a club with the history and prestige as Benfica this financial gain will help Benfica eliminate debt and help continue to grow the Benfica name across the globe.

Eliminating debt or paying down most of the debt in any situation always leaves a feeling a satisfaction. It's as if a burden is lifted off your shoulders and you can now focus on building a positive future. The president will most definitely use most of that money if not all of it to pay off current debts previously accumulated by former Benfica Presidents (We all know their names).

Benfica will also continue to grow youth within Benfica. The Seixal has become very popular supposedly there are renovations in the process and a possible second ground at The Seixal for the Benfica system. 

This deal is great for Benfica however in the long run this money still will not compete with the success of such teams as the Manchester's of England, PSG of France, The big two of Spain, and other clubs with deep pockets on a billionaire budget.

It is argued that The Portuguese Liga NOS is a top-five league at best within Europe but it is not just Benfica who is benefiting from the NOS deal the whole league and all of the team's involved the big three or bottom three will benefit from this deal. 

I'm all for spending money responsibly as my Mom used to say in Portuguese "Quem  não paga,  não devo" (Who pays, doesn't owe) However, in a scenario in which Benfica no longer have debt and can afford to spend "impulsively" or "irresponsibly" Benfica have plenty of options other then paying off debts or investing in the youth system at The Seixal.  

Perhaps we will see the return of all of the players constantly talk about returning to Benfica they will finally put their money where their mouth is (literally. All of the players that periodically post on social media claiming that they would love to return to "O Glorioso"David Luiz, Javi Garcia, Axel Witsel, Nemanja Matic, Angel Di Maria, Oscar Cardozo etc.

We may even see the return of such a retired players as Pablo Aimar, Javier Saviola, Nuno Gomes, and my personal favorite Pedro Mantoras, Let's face it wit $400 million Euros part of that buy a new pair of legs with that kind of money. The super sub is only 34 I'm sure he can last another 2-3 years and repeat the 2005 championship season with his new set of magic legs.

Just like any business, in order to make money you need to spend money. So with this money Benfica will see over time they should invested wisely so that they can reap the rewards for the future.

400 million can also save Portugal the nation that is an economic turmoil divide 400 million by 10 million people and hopefully help Portugal bounce back on their feet financially in time.What a story that would be Benfica saves Portuguese Soccer and Portugal.

400 million can also buy you the best coaches in the world. Let's say Benfica want to continue a "Made in Benfica" team for the future. If you want to have a starting 11 of mostly local brought up players you need a larger than life coach with a great resume who can produce results. 

I'm sure if you show Jose Mourinho an above average salary, he may reconsider coming back to Portugal and coaching the team who ironically enough let him go during the Presidential change. Mourinho loves a challenge and what better challenge then not only winning the Portuguese league but being the first coach in history to win the Champions League for Benfica. I'm sure if this was guaranteed Benfica would donate 20 million a year to his salary to achieve this goal.

Now we must not forget that Benfica is a sports club that goes beyond soccer. Improving the overall facilities of all of the other sports teams would definitely bring up moral with all members of all the sports teams and paying members (socios around the world) affiliated with this club.Better volleyball,l track and field basketball, facilities. Continuing to invest in modern technologies and equipment and continuing to train existing coaches and attract better coaches to the club. 

I can't speak for everyone but I know from my experience I have had a hard time getting through to the offices of Benfica whether it was to buy merchandise, tickets or just a general question as a socio. I'm not sure if it is a staffing issue but perhaps improving customer service to better the needs of all the socios and Benfica supporters from all over the world. Possibly an increase of wages to internally satisfy the financial needs of the staff to better deliver a good finished product. It's like a car you need a well oil machine and all of the different parts need to be in functioning order if only part of the vehicle is well-maintained it will not function properly. 

More money means more exposure means more people willing to do business for foreign investment and local investment. Everyone will want to associate their business with this club. How many companies, business', and products around the world advertise with the Manchester's, Arsenal, Real Madrid, PSG and other "Billionaire clubs"? why? because they're a big name and big names create big revenue.

Also if a team like Benfica can now afford better wages as opposed to decent wages for star players, then they will most likely stay at Benfica instead of leaving for greener pastures for a big payback. Look at all of the players who left to Chelsea, Russia and Valencia over the past few years, had Benfica increased their salaries would they not want to stay at a club where they were worshipped? Fans still cry over David Luiz and Javi Garcia would they not stay if the price was better? Benfica players will no longer have to go outside of the Luz because Benfica will have deeper pockets that they will be able to hold onto player for longer periods of time. 

Again 400 million can buy you a lot it won't necessarily by championships just look at Manchester City,and PSG, who are two of the wealthiest teams in the world and even though they do well in their domestic leagues they are still without the champions league. Their time will come as their pockets become deeper and their investors and investments continue to grow for these clubs  and hopefully Benfica will be no different.