The five-year deal, which could be worth as much as N4 billion, will push the boundaries for football in Nigeria.
‘We have a longstanding claim to football so it’s only natural for us to prove our love for the game by partnering with the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). We can assure fans of innovative and thrilling developments in the years to come,’ chairman, League Management Company, Shehu Dikko boasts on the partnership.
In 2013, Globacom partnered the local league for three years; the deal was valued N1.8b before its termination last season.
Then Chief Operating Officer of the League company, Salihu Abubakar, told Premium Times at the time: ‘We signed a contract with Globacom. N550 million will be paid for this season and ten percent increase each following year.’
About 700 footballers are employed across the 20 clubs – with 70 per cent still owned by state governments – in the league every season.
Star would also amplify the NPFL brand via radio and television broadcasts as well as on traditional and digital media, which would increase the awareness of the Nigerian League’s brand that is set to rival the biggest European leagues.
As part of the agreement, Star would also sponsor a Football League Feature Game that would bring in foreign clubs to face a league All-Star Team during its off-season.
This announcement comes months after the League Management Company (LMC), managers of NPFL, announced a partnership with Spanish league (La Liga).
