For those wondering what STAR would get in return for its huge investment in the NPFL, it is worthy to note that the brand is cementing its place as a friend of the domestic game. It would support the passion of local fans from Awka to Kaduna, Bauchi to Uyo and across Nigeria.
Star Lager Beer at an event on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 announced a groundbreaking partnership with the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
This announcement comes months after the League Management Company (LMC) (managers of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL)) announced a partnership with La Liga.
Speaking on the partnership and what the NPFL stands to gain, Chairman, League Management Company, Shehu Dikko said, “The NPFL has grown rapidly over the past few years and with new partnerships like this, we hope to push it beyond expectations and make it the biggest league in Africa. Bringing Star to the table is only natural as Star has identified with football in Nigeria over the years.”
The announcement saw Chairman, League Management Company, Shehu Dikko in a symbolic exchange of jerseys with the Portfolio Manager, National Premium, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Mr Tokunbo Adodo who in a statement said, “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”.
This 5-year partnership will push the frontiers for football in Nigeria and it is hoped that this will be the start of great things for Nigerian football fans and lovers of the Star brand.
An average of 8,000 fans attended games in the 2014/15 season, according to the LMC’s season review. This is the biggest crowd number for domestic football in Nigeria for more than 15 years and is expected to rise this year. It is common these days to see families attend local league matches in their bright club replica jerseys due to the increased security at venues across the country.
While the win-at-home at-all-cost syndrome is fast becoming a thing of the past with 31 away wins, the highest in 10 years, the league has become more competitive as clubs now chase points on the road leading to greater excitement for the fans, the biggest stakeholders.
The NPFL, like many important leagues across the world, needs big corporate organizations to support its message of youth empowerment – at least 700 footballers are employed across the 20 club sides in the league.
Star would also amplify the NPFL brand via radio and television broadcasts also 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.
Culled from Goal.com