The Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) received a major boost to its operations on Wednesday 2 September as it unveiled a ground breaking deal that will see fans of the league have access to live NPFL matches.
The league, through the League Management Company (LMC) has entered into a strategic and investment partnership with Redstrike Media Nigeria to create NPFL Media and Marketing Company in order to increase the commercial profile of the league.
Under the agreement, NPFL Marketing will streaming live matches every week of the season through its own Platform “NPFL.tv”, as well as distributing and broadcasting through other media channels.
Redstrike will also launch opportunities for companies and brands to sponsor the NPFL and to support the growth of the professional game in Nigeria.
In a press statement released on the NPFL website, the LMC said, “Nigerian football fans will be able to engage and enjoy NPFL.tv’s innovative and ground-breaking Next Gen 360˚ Platform.”
Redstrike will also work with each of the 20 participating NPFL club to build a dedicated club app to integrate with NPFL.tv and also enhance the revenue base of the clubs.
According to the LMC, the new NPFL season is expected to re-start initially without crowds but it remains confident that fans will be able to follow all the action through the new NPFL.tv.
The body also revealed that the NPFL Marketing partnership will also involve the creation of an NPFL Development Fund that will be deployed towards improvement of stadia infrastructure and connectivity, academies and community outreach programmes.
Speaking on the new partnership, LMC chairman Shehu Dikko said, “This is exactly what Nigerian football needs. Our partnership with Redstrike is ground-breaking, enabling the NPFL to follow its ambition of becoming Africa’s Premier Football League and to be recognized as one of the most important leagues globally.
“We are delighted to enter into our strategic partnership with Redstrike. Their global football expertise is clear, their commercial credentials impressive and Redstrike’s technical ability to deliver NPFL.tv is extremely exciting.
Overall, the investment and technical expertise Redstrike will be bringing into the NPFL will surely guarantee the sustainable progression of the League whilst delivering value to the fans, players, club owners and other stakeholders, as well as world-class content for monetization.”
“The effect of this ground-breaking development for Nigerian Football is that every Nigerian football fan will be able to follow their team and watch NPFL matches every week.
We also expect that the new broadcast arrangements will energize interest in the Nigerian Football Leagues. I am so excited that the NPFL finally has a medium that will enable all fans of Nigerian football to engage directly with the NPFL and immerse themselves in Nigeria’s famous passion for Football.”
On his part, Bola Adefehinti, Chairman of Redstrike Media Nigeria and G2P Sports stated:
“Firstly, as a Nigerian football fan, I am proud that the NPFL/ Redstrike partnership enables us to deliver a ground-breaking Platform that makes the Nigerian Professional Football League accessible to all fans of Nigerian football, irrespective of their location.”
“I am particularly delighted about the positive impact that NPFL.tv will have on grassroots football in Nigeria, raising of the standards of the NPFL, improvements in the stadia/ infrastructure and the potential for “exporting” the NPFL brand across the African continent and beyond .”
His enthusiasm was echoed by Mike Farnan Global CEO of the Redstrike Group of Companies.
“This partnership with the NPFL is 100% in line with Redstrike’s mission of investing in emerging markets and rights with unfulfilled potentials,” he said. “The Nigeria Professional Football League (the elite League in Nigeria) is exactly that with turbo boosters.
I have not been as excited about an opportunity in football since my Manchester United days. It is a fantastic honour to be involved with Nigerian Football and one I and my team will fully commit to. We will deliver commercial success to the NPFL.”