The Nigeria Premier Football League has instructed topflight clubs lacking the necessary clearance for live broadcasts at their home grounds to choose from a list of approved match venues.
The NPFL’s Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, released the list of approved stadiums that are authorized to host live games yesterday.
The stadiums picked were Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, Remo Stars International Stadium, Ikenne, Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, Adokie Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt; Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina, Lafia Township Stadium, Lafia, Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos and Kwara State Stadium, Ilorin.
Owumi said: “After thorough review and deliberation, the board has approved the following stadiums for television coverage during the 2024 season: Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin ;Enyimba International Stadium, Aba; Remo Stars International Stadium, Ikenne; Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan; Adokie Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt ; Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina; Lafia Township Stadium, Lafia; Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo ;Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu; Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos and Kwara State Stadium, Ilorin.”
The league body affirmed that N500,000 would be allocated to the clubs hosting night matches while the NPFL further states that efforts would be made to ensure fairness and balance in distribution of television coverage across the league.
“In addition to the stadium approvals, a sum of N500,000 per match will be allocated to the clubs hosting night matches. This amount will be deducted from the respective club’s share of broadcast rights revenue at the end of the season,” Owumi continued.
“All clubs must ensure an equal distribution of live home matches to maintain fairness and balance in television coverage across the league.
“Clubs whose stadiums are deemed unsuitable for daytime television coverage are required to provide an alternative venue that meets the NPFL’s requirements for broadcast.
“Should a club decline to provide an alternative TV- friendly stadium for daytime coverage, the NPFL reserves the right to select a venue from the approved list to host the club’s live televised matches. In the event of failure to host, fines or sanctions will be imposed in accordance with the provisions outlined in the NPFL framework.
“We kindly request that you communicate these decisions to all members clubs for timely implementation during the ongoing 2024 season.”
The 2024-25 NPFL season which enters Matchday Six this weekend has Raised Rivers United at the top.
