Nigerian Professional Football League RedStrike Media

Nigerian Professional Football League Enters Long-Term Commerical Rights Partnership With RedStrike Media

September 3, 2020

The Nigerian Professional Football League through the League Management Company has entered into a strategic and investment partnership with Redstrike Media Nigeria to create NPFL Media and Marketing Company to commercialise the NPFL. Redstrike has agreed to acquire these rights from the LMC/NPFL and the Clubs for NPFL Marketing.

Under this Agreement, NPFL Marketing will be streaming live matches every week of the season through its own Platform “NPFL.tv”, as well as distributing and broadcasting through other media channels. Redstrike will also be launching opportunities for companies and brands to sponsor the NPFL and to support the growth of the professional game in Nigeria.

Nigerian Football fans will be able to engage and enjoy NPFL.tv’s innovative and ground-breaking Next Gen 360 ̊ Platform. Redstrike will also be working with each NPFL participating Club to build a dedicated club app to integrate with NPFL.tv and also enhance the revenue base of the clubs.

The NPFL is expected to re-start initially without crowds. However, Nigerian Football fans will be able to follow all the action and so much more through NPFL.tv. The NPFL Marketing partnership will also involve the creation of an NPFL Development Fund that will be deployed towards improvement of stadia infrastructure and connectivity, academies and community outreach programmes.

The NPFL is the elite level of the domestic Nigerian Football Leagues and is managed by the LMC. The League consists of 20 professional football clubs from all corners of the Country. The 2020/21 Season is scheduled to kick off in October 2020 and will run through to June 2021 subject to approvals of the Government and the health authorities.

Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the LMC proudly announced: “This is exactly what Nigerian football needs. Our partnership with Redstrike is ground-breaking, enabling the NPFL to follow its ambition of becoming Africa’s Premier Football League and to be recognised as one of the most important leagues globally.

“We are delighted to have the full support of our magnificent participating clubs and the support of the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, and the entire Administrators of Football around the Country. We are delighted to enter into our strategic partnership with Redstrike. Their global football expertise is clear, their commercial credentials impressive and Redstrike’s technical ability to deliver NPFL.tv is extremely exciting. Overall, the investment and technical expertise Redstrike will be bringing into the NPFL will surely guarantee the sustainable progression of the League whilst delivering value to the fans, players, club owners and other stakeholders, as well as world class content for monetization.

“The effect of this ground-breaking development for Nigerian Football is that every Nigerian football fan will be able to follow their team and watch NPFL matches every week. We also expect that the new broadcast arrangements will energise interest in the Nigerian Football Leagues. I am so excited that the NPFL finally has a medium that will enable all fans of Nigerian football to engage directly with the NPFL and immerse themselves in Nigeria’s famous passion for Football.

“We are always appreciative of the immense support of the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Federal Government of Nigeria and the National Assembly for policies and legislation towards making sports thrive as a business and the overall enabling environment for the development of the NPFL and indeed, football in Nigeria.”

Bola Adefehinti, Chairman of Redstrike Media Nigeria and G2P Sports stated: “Firstly, as a Nigerian football fan, I am proud that the NPFL/ Redstrike partnership enables us to deliver a ground-breaking Platform that makes the Nigerian Professional Football League accessible to all fans of Nigerian football, irrespective of their location. I am particularly delighted about the positive impact that NPFL.tv will have on grassroots football in Nigeria, raising of the standards of the NPFL, improvements in the stadia/ infrastructure and the potential for “exporting” the NPFL brand across the African continent and beyond.

“My profound thanks must go to the LMC and the NPFL, under the stewardship of Mr. Shehu Dikko for working seamlessly with Redstrike to put together the commercial terms of the Joint Venture in a very short period of time. My thanks also go to my colleagues at Redstrike Media and G2P Sports for the tireless “behind the scenes” work to get this Agreement across the line.”

Mike Farnan Global CEO of the Redstrike Group of Companies highlighted: “This partnership with the NPFL is 100% in line with Redstrike’s mission of investing in emerging markets and rights with unfulfilled potentials. The Nigeria Professional Football League (the elite League in Nigeria) is exactly that with turbo boosters. I have not been as excited about an opportunity in football since my Manchester United days. It is a fantastic honour to be involved with Nigerian Football and one I and my team will fully commit to. We will deliver commercial success to the NPFL.”

Howard Thomas, Deputy Chairman of Redstrike Media and Redstrike COO proclaimed: “Our negotiations with the NPFL have been very professional and inspirational. I look forward to having the opportunity to meet Chairman Shehu Dikko in person during September. We look forward to supporting his leadership to deliver the NPFL into one of the globe’s great football leagues.

“The appearance of the Covid 19 virus earlier this year, has taken an adverse toll on a facets of life all over the world, with spectator sports as one of its casualties. This will have been felt even more in a country like Nigeria where football is a key point of social interaction. As we collectively pray for God’s intervention in the elimination of this dreaded disease, we hope that the NPFL.tv will mark the beginning of a new chapter for Nigerian Football. Nigeria is a very important and passionate football nation and we know that football is in the blood and the body of every Nigerian.”

Nick Fitzgerald, Technology Director of Redstrike Media Nigeria Group: “I am so excited that the Next Gen 360 ̊Platform first sports launch is in Nigeria. We have so many levels of engagement for Nigerian Football fans. We will be engaging with all ages, boys and girls, granddads and grandmums, players, coaches and supporters. We have some very exciting announcements in the pipeline on content that will be available on NPFL.tv. Our NPFL.tv service will be unlimited and 360 ̊.”

Nigerian Professional Football League RedStrike Media