A new scandal hits Independiente, and this time a heavyweight from the Board of Directors is at the center: Daniel Seoane. In recent hours, a recording attributed to journalist Renato Della Paolera has gone viral, in which he accuses the General Secretary of El Rojo of closing an "off-the-record" deal with the Atomik brand to replace Puma as technical sponsor.
"I said it on air to try to bring it down, they told me he settled his own deal," can be heard, pointing to an alleged personal arrangement between Seoane and the apparel company. "They're buddies from the neighborhood, we have to bring him down, people should start attacking him for being with that brand," the audio continues, suggesting ties between the club's general secretary and Atomik's owner, who allegedly live in the same gated community.
To conclude, the recording claims: "Marketing was negotiating with the people from Puma, and he went off on his own, off the record, it's a disgrace. They want people to believe this brand is giving three times more money than Puma."
The board's response: internal rumors and contract details
From El Rojo's Board of Directors, they categorically denied the story and pointed to "some people on the inside," attributing the leak to an "internal payback."
They confirmed that there are formal talks with Atomik led by president Néstor Grindetti, and that they are advanced, with representatives from the brand even visiting the club's facilities. According to official sources, Atomik's offer improves on Puma's by 50%, includes a 6-year contract, 35% advance in dollars upon signing, and increases the annual stock to 24,000 jerseys plus 20,000 for the club's official stores.
