Bola na Rede was founded in 2012, aiming to create a media outlet for college graduates to gain experience before entering the media industry. It all began as a hobby and a way for its founder, Mário Cagica, to feed his passion for sports.
However, after a decade, Bola na Rede attracts more than one million unique users a year. The website's reputation for helping young college graduates is part of its success, Cagica says. Bola na Rede has made agreements and partnerships with universities across Portugal, giving many students their first professional journalism experience.
Its primary source of funding is advertising.
Bola na Rede distinguishes itself from other media outlets for its transparent, non-neutral tone and contextual information about the world of sports.
Mário hoped transparency would spare him and his team from the zealous attacks of sports fans, particularly the football ones. But that didn't happen: one of Cagica's biggest challenges is dealing with online harassment regarding football teams. "It's too much. People lose their minds over it and become too aggressive. We're constantly working on keeping our ground. It's rather exhausting," Mário says.
Source: Oasis Europe
Last updated date: November 2025
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