9Mobile keys into NPFL/Next TV broadcast partnership for Nigerian football league

Nigeria’s communication network, 9Mobile yesterday signed into the partnership between the League Management Company, LMC, and Next TV for the production and broadcast of the Nigeria Professional Football League.

The LMC Chairman Shehu Dikko and other top officials witnessed the signing of the memorandum of Understanding between 9Mobile and Next TV at the corporate headquarters of the League Management Company in Abuja.

Dikko who spoke on the broadcast agreement disclosed that the broadcast deal with Next TV which stands on four pillars will allow free-flow of investment into the NPFL with a five-year projection of $200m.

“The transaction we are putting together with NEXT TV stands on four pillars. The first pillar which is most important is that we are going to get investment into the NPFL and that would ensure football keep running and operate in professional way.

“The second pillar is that we will produce NPFL matches through the investment of NEXT TV, technical expertise and support. All over the world, league football is driven by production which means if you don’t produce your content, you will not earn money,” he said.

The chairman of Next TV, Prince Malik Ado Ibrahim, described the venture as a Nigerian initiative and urged all Nigerians to embrace it.

He said "We are going to go beyond OTT and with time ensure we have quality contents that can project the NPFL.

"We are not restricting it. We want to drive the projection of NPFL through OTT and digital technology and share the content with others who will be willing to use it whether it's terrestrial, cable within and outside Nigeria.

The acting Director of marketing of 9Mobile Layi Orafowokan said the telecommunication company will provide its subscribers with an exclusive bundle which would cover access to over-thetop, OTT, platform.