The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) club owners association has moved to dispel rumours of a rift with the NPFL board, stating that there are ‘no complaints or problems’ despite reports suggesting otherwise.
The potential showdown with the board over financial matters, including the disclosure of broadcast deals with StarTimes and Propel Sports, seems to have been averted as discussions continue between the parties involved.
According to The Punch, the Secretary of the Club Owners Association and Chairman of Sporting Lagos, Godwin Enakhena assured that negotiations were ongoing and that they are working towards resolving outstanding issues, including accumulated matches and financial commitments. With just nine games left in the season, the focus is on ensuring a successful conclusion to the campaign.
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“We are having negotiations, we are talking, but there are no complaints or problems,” Enakhena emphasized. “We have issues we want to deal with, some of them include outstanding matches that have not been played. The economy is a big factor, but we are committed to ending the league as planned.”
As the 2023/24 season approaches its end date of June 9, attention is now on completing match-day 30 games and addressing any pending matters before the end of the season. Rivers United, recently eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup, faces the task of playing six outstanding matches within the stipulated time frame.
At the commencement of the season last September, the NPFL’s strategic partner, GTI, announced an increase in the league’s prize money from N100m to N150m, alongside a N10m take-off grant for the 20 clubs. Additionally, the league secured a $5m streaming deal with Propel Sports and a lucrative N5.9bn agreement with StarTimes to broadcast NPFL matches over five seasons.
The commitment to resolving financial issues and ensuring the successful progression of the league reflects the dedication of both the club owners and the NPFL board to advancing Nigerian football. As the season heads towards its conclusion, the collaboration between stakeholders is crucial in maintaining the integrity and competitiveness of the NPFL.
