On Monday, the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) confirmed that the 2023/24 league season will begin on September 30.
In a statement issued in Lagos, the NPFL’s Media Officer, Harry Iwuala, revealed that Davidson Owumi, the NPFL’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), informed the 20 participating Clubs of the start date.
He also announced that the season’s winners will receive N150 million, which is a 50% increase over the previous season’s prize money.
Another feature is the disbursement of N200 million in start-up subsidies to the 20 clubs.
“As was done last season, the 20 clubs will each receive a N10 million start-up grant to smoothen their operations as the season begins.”
“As the season is set to begin on Saturday, we expect the Clubs to urgently forward their respective account details to the NPFL Secretariat for the transfer of the said amount.”
“After due deliberations by the Chairman and our Strategic Partners, it was agreed that the prize money, since that is what connotes the true value of the league, be reviewed upwards to N150 million,” he stated.
In response to some of the clubs’ marketing worries, Owunmi promised them that the NPFL board will always make decisions and enter into contracts in the best interests of the league and the clubs.
“Be rest assured that we will at all times be guided by the very best interest of our league and by implication, the participating Clubs.
“Discussions are still ongoing with a company that proposed a ten-year partnership for broadcast rights.
“We remain very hopeful that they or other prospective partners will show up since talks are still ongoing.
“Any success achieved will enlarge the economic frontiers of the league and by extension the clubs as we progress,” he stated.