The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and StarTimes have signed a five year agreement to bring the league back on television. The NPFL after signing the papers announce StarTimes as the exclusive broadcast partners of the NPFL matches.
The announcement was made Thursday at a ceremony in Abuja, attended by President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League NPFL, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye and dignitaries from the Chinese Embassy, Abuja.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Musa Gusau, who led members of the board of the NPFL said the football house will continue to make sure that Nigerian league is beamed across the globe and expose Nigerian players to the world.
NPFL chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye on the other hand, described the event as a right step in the right direction.
Under the agreement, StarTimes secured exclusive rights to broadcast four matches of NPFL per round in 2023/24 season and 2024/25 season; and eight matches of NPFL per round in 2025/26 season, 2026/27 season and 2027/28 season.
The CEO StarTimes Nigeria, Joshua Wang, described the five- year deal as a win-win situation for his company and NPFL, saying the deal implies that the organisation can offer its subscribers more value and variety in its sports content.
Wang said that by the deal, StarTimes will be the only platform where fans can watch the best of Nigerian football every week, adding it will also have the first pick of the matches it wants to showcase, ensuring that it brings to Nigerians the most exciting and competitive games in the league.
“For StarTimes, it means that we can offer our subscribers more value and variety in our sports content. For the NPFL, it means that they can benefit from our expertise and experience in producing and broadcasting high-quality football matches. Promoting and developing the league is not only a business goal for us but also a social responsibility. We are committed to growing the sports industry in Nigeria by collaborating with our local partners and sharing positive Nigerian stories.
“We believe that this deal will enhance the visibility and popularity of the NPFL, both locally and internationally. We hope that it will also inspire and motivate the players, coaches, and clubs to perform at their best and showcase their talents. We are confident that this partnership will bring more joy and excitement to millions of football fans in Nigeria and beyond,” Wang said.
In his remarks, the NPFL Chairman Elegbeleye expressed hope that the partnership will bring joy to millions of football viewers in Nigeria.
He described the agreement as a major step to bringing league matches to the homes of millions of Nigerian fans who have endured years of football off their television screens.
