NPFL clubs want answers on N15 million sponsorship payment

Some chairmen from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) are asking for clarity on how sponsorship money is shared after receiving N15 million each from the league's commercial deal, PREMIUM TIMES has learned.

In a chat with PREMIUM TIMES, one chairman, who preferred to stay anonymous, said they expected more money. The clubs were promised that 60 percent of sponsorship money would go to them, while 40 percent would cover logistics and other costs.

He mentioned that each club should get at least N150 million for the season based on the sharing plan. The chairmen want the league management to explain how the payments were calculated.

Their concerns will be discussed at a meeting set for Wednesday evening in Abuja between NPFL management and the NPFL Club Owners Forum.

In a letter dated 28 October to the club owners' forum chairman, the NPFL management confirmed the meeting at 7 p.m. at Top Rank Galaxy Hotel in Jabi Utako, Abuja.

This letter came after club owners expressed their desire to attend the meeting. It added that since the league could not hold an emergency congress, club owners would pay for their own logistics.

The meeting follows earlier discussions where club representatives raised issues about sponsorship payments with NPFL management and GTI Asset Management and Trust Limited, the league's strategic partner.

‘We expected at least N150 million per club’

The chairman told PREMIUM TIMES that the sponsorship agreement stated that 60 percent of the money should be shared among the clubs, with the other 40 percent for logistics.

He questioned why the clubs received only N15 million each when the league announced the sponsorship deal.

"From the partnership of $2.5 million, the agreement was 60 percent would go to the clubs, while 40 percent would go for logistics and everything," he said.

He argued that the amount received did not match what they expected from the agreement.

The chairman added that clubs used to get around N50 million per season from previous deals, making the latest payment disappointing.

He maintained that with the 60 percent allocation, each team should get at least N150 million this season. But he stressed that this is his view and not a confirmed amount from the sponsorship deal.

He also questioned how club owners were represented in past talks, saying all chairmen should be involved in matters affecting their finances.

Instead of relying on a few representatives, he said chairmen want to meet the league management to clarify the N15 million payment and the timeline for future payments.

He noted that clubs expect another payment in November but want clearer information on when and how much they will receive.

Transparency concerns

This issue comes after a sponsorship consultative meeting on 19 September with NPFL management, GTI, and club owners.

In a report from that meeting, GTI rep Nelson Ineh told participants that the company received about $1 million from EuroMatch for the league's sponsorship.

The meeting decided that each of the 20 clubs would receive N15 million from the available sponsorship money at that time. It also called for better transparency about sponsorship funds and payments to clubs.

The report indicated that NPFL management, GTI, and club owners should work towards a better financial setup for the league and its clubs.

The recent N15 million payment is part of an earlier decision on how to share available funds. Still, the chairman who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES said some owners are unhappy and want the league management to explain how this amount fits into the bigger revenue-sharing plan.

The NPFL announced a three-year sponsorship deal with EuroMatch in August, worth $7.5 million, which is $2.5 million per season.

During the announcement on 26 August, the league's chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, said that 60 percent of the sponsorship funds would go directly to the 20 clubs.

The deal was aimed at improving clubs' finances and player welfare, including their ability to pay salaries.

However, the total value of a multi-year sponsorship does not mean that the full amount is ready for distribution immediately. The amount the league or its partners have received at any time and the schedule for future payments affect how much can be shared.

The specific amount received under the deal so far, how the clubs' 60 percent share was calculated, and the timeline for more payments were not clear in the information available to PREMIUM TIMES before publication.

More Questions

Beyond the sponsorship issue, the chairman criticized how the league manages match schedules. He said match dates do not always consider the travel difficulties clubs face.

He shared a time when his team traveled for two days from Niger State to Katsina State but had to play right after arriving.

The chairman argued that the league should take clubs' situations into account when deciding if matches need to be moved.

"If they can schedule our matches, then if we have a reason to delay, they should consider us too," he said.

He called for better organization and more understanding of the challenges faced by clubs taking part in the league.

The upcoming meeting is expected to give club owners a chance to clarify sponsorship payments, the N15 million allocation, and when they can expect future payments.