NPFL mgt throws doors open for more broadcast partners
Posted : 22 November 2023
The Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Gbenga Elegbeleye, has urged companies seeking to acquire broadcast rights for the NPFL to come forward with their requests or approach the league body with offers for negotiation. Elegbeleye clarified on Wednesday that the board's adopted marketing approach is for non-exclusivity, which has not ruled out signing up more rights holders.
Elegbeleye described as shocking claims by an individual alleging that there was an offer of $11 million to the NPFL for the rights before the StarTimes deal was executed. He emphasized that throughout the negotiations with StarTimes, nobody approached them with any offer.
He further narrated the efforts of the defunct Interim Management Committee (IMC) to attract a broadcast partner, including getting the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) to broker a meeting with Supersport, which ultimately did not express interest in taking up the offer.
Elegbeleye stated that the NPFL is open to negotiations, and their deal with StarTimes allows for a third-party investor. He invited the person making the $11 million offer to come to their office or the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for further discussions.
The NPFL boss explained that the unbundling of the broadcast bouquet has made it possible to accommodate multiple partners, allowing for genuine interests in the league's broadcast partnership. Elegbeleye dismissed claims that the league violated the Public Procurement Act, stating that the NPFL is a private company limited by guarantee, not funded by the government, and operates transparently.
He emphasized the league's financial independence, generated through sponsorships, and highlighted their successful broadcast of the Super 6, refuting claims that the league had not been on television for the past six years. The NPFL has secured two broadcast partners, Propel Sports Africa (PSA) for the Over The Top (OTT) platform and StarTimes for the Direct To Home (DTH) cable platform.
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