The tension between Flamengo and Vasco has spilled over into the NFL sidelines. Bap prevented marketing activities and the sale of merchandise from the rival club at the Maracanã.
The rivalry between Flamengo and Vasco has gone beyond the soccer fields and entered the realm of American sports. In a move with significant backstage impact, Luiz Eduardo Baptista, known as Bap, president of Rubro-Negro, prohibited the sale of licensed products from the cross-masted club during the NFL event, which took place this Sunday (27) at the Maracanã.
The decision stemmed from a direct demand by the Flamengo executive to the CEO of the American football league. In addition to blocking the sale of Vasco-related items, Bap vetoed any rival brand promotion within the stadium, forcing the cancellation of an advertising campaign that was scheduled to run during halftime.
Administrative Conflict and Interference
The dispute arises in a context where relations between Bap and Pedrinho, president of Vasco, are strained. The core of the impasse is the battle over the use of the Maracanã. While the São Januário team claims the right to play matches at the stadium based on a contract, Flamengo uses the pitch’s condition as justification for restricting access.
Pedrinho stated in a recent interview:
I will no longer ask to play at the Maracanã, as I am not welcome. I have a stadium, so I want to play at São Januário.
The executive emphasized his intention to host the next derby between the two teams at his club’s home ground.
Commercial Impact and Next Steps
As a direct result of Bap‘s intervention, the exclusive product line, developed in partnership with the brand Approve, was removed from circulation within the stadium. Now, the licensed materials can only be found at the official physical NFL store, located in the Leblon neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro’s South Zone.
This latest episode reinforces the growing distance between the management of the two largest Rio de Janeiro clubs. With Pedrinho‘s declaration favoring hosting the second-round Clássico dos Milhões (Millions’ Derby) of the Campeonato Brasileiro (Brazilian Championship) at São Januário, the future use of the Maracanã for events involving Vasco becomes increasingly uncertain.
By Equipe M360
