Caixa set to commit to Cruzeiro

Government-owned bank Caixa Economica Federal has signed its intention to extend its contract as the main shirt sponsor of Cruzeiro, according to the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A football club.

Caixa held shirt sponsorship deals with 15 Serie A teams in 2017, but has signalled its intention to scale back its involvement this year.

Cruzeiro is said to have received a fixed sum of R$11m (€2.86m/$3.38m) from Caixa in 2017, along with a R$500,000 bonus for the Belo Horizonte club’s Copa do Brasil triumph.

Caixa is said to be keen to maintain the fixed value of the deal, but is reportedly open to changing the bonus structure with Cruzeiro due to compete in the continental Copa Libertadores competition this year.

Marco Antônio Lage, executive vice-president of Cruzeiro, told the Superesportes website: “They (Caixa) will not renew with all clubs for next (season), they have reduced the budget. But they have kept Cruzeiro in perspective, of course, to increase the bonuses for the Campeonato and Libertadores. These are details that, in early January, before signing the agreement, we will define with Caixa.

“The contract can reach R$20m with the bonuses. That is our expectation.”