The Rio de Janeiro Football Federation (FERJ) "has highlighted ... on its official site the increase in attendees at the 2015 Campeonato Carioca," but it has not shown the financial losses at the box office, according to Sílvio Barsetti of ESTADÃO. FERJ's official site "insists the actual model, with 16 clubs, is profitable." Brasileiro side Vasco has had "negative numbers for five games" of the Campeonato Carioca, losses totaling R$127,000 ($41,480). After Vasco's sixth game against Fluminense, "the club's revenue from São Januário" stadium was R$16,000 ($5,200). Similarly, Fluminense's first round in the Carioca left Volta Redonada, "the city ... where it played against Friburguense, with a deficit" of R$47,000 ($15,300). Only Flamengo games, which had "more attendees," generated revenue; Flamengo's third game alone left the club with R$10,500 ($3,400). Without "TV revenue the clubs would not have a way" to play in the Carioca. Botafogo, Flamengo, Fluminense and Vasco "will each receive" R$311,000 ($101,600) for broadcasting rights. Taxes and fees, though, "without a doubt left the campeonato unprofitable." The FERJ "collects about 10% of the total gross income" from the Carioca. During "the most attended game" of the Carioca -- Flamengo versus Botafogo -- Botafogo received R$259,000 ($85,600), Flamengo received R$246,000 ($80,350) and the FERJ received R$209,000 ($68,300). Flamengo President Eduardo Bandeira de Mello: "Flamengo can't be at the mercy of these excessive fees charged per game" (ESTADÃO, 3/8).
