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This is a good development if this come through. The development of players in the NPL will have the biggest impact on development of players for the national program.
Taken from www.jamaica-gleaner.com
Digicel, Nike to sponsor NPL football
published: Tuesday | August 12, 2008
Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer
Information reaching The Gleaner is that local telecommunications giant, Digicel, and international apparel manufacturer, Nike, are close to signing an agreement with the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA) - the representative body of National Premier Clubs - regarding sponsorship of the island's leading football competition for at least the next three seasons.
The sponsorship, which, it is understood, will see Digicel overtaking from the liquidated Cash Plus Limited as title sponsors of the league and Nike as the official gear and equipment provider, is said to be worth millions.
According to a number of Gleaner sources, "it is expected to be no less than the previous sponsorship agreement".
"It is going to be much more than the usual scenario. I understand that it will be huge," said one of the sources, who requested anonymity based on the fact that the announcement was not made public as yet. "The PLCA and potential sponsors are in dialogue and, in a matter of days, it is expected that they will conclude the deal."
No comment
However, officials of the PLCA declined to confirm the deal, saying nothing has been signed between the PLCA and sponsors as yet and that an official announcement will be made shortly at a press conference.
"I can't comment at this time, not until we have concluded all discussions and have documents signed and all parties are signed and agree. Thereafter, we will then make a formal public announcement, hopefully by next week or before the end of the week," said the PLCA official.
As it relates to who will be the new sponsors, a second PLCA official would not comment, only caring to say: "I can tell you that there will be a new sponsor and they will be unveiled shortly. It is an individual (company) that has forays in football in the past," the source said, before adding:
"Tomorrow (today) we will be having a meeting where it will be a major item of discussion and it is expected that we will be dotting 'i's and crossing the 't's as it relates to the sponsorship. We will then arrange a press conference, probably before the end of the week, where we will make a formal announcement."
According to information gleaned, both sponsorship deals are expected to last between three and five years, with Digicel, who is no stranger to local or regional football sponsorship, expected to bring their usual pomp and pageantry to the execution and promotion of the league.
Pomp and pageantry
Nike, in the meantime, which has been making inroads in the sports industry through Locker Room Sports, the official local distributors of Nike products, is expected to add to the occasion with the provision of team, player and spectator incentives.
"It is expected that Digicel will sponsor the league, provide prize monies and other incentives, including cellphone deals, products and services," explained a source, who added that, "Nike, in the meanwhile, is expected to outfit at least 10 of the 12 clubs with equipment throughout the sponsorship."
Two clubs, Harbour View and defending champions Portmore, who have team-kit deals with Adidas and Umbro, are not expected to benefit from Nike's association.
Meanwhile, it is understood that while Nike's involvement will be a welcome addition for the clubs, it will not be full sponsorship and, as such, clubs may require to meet the apparel manufacturers at least "quarter way".
Football product
The sponsorship means Digicel will take control of another major Caribbean football product, as, at present, they are title sponsors of the Caribbean Football Union Caribbean Championships and an official sponsor of the Reggae Boyz.
The NPL is scheduled to get under way on Sunday, August 31, with champions Portmore United opening against promoted Rivoli United.
Other matches that will be on are second-place finishers Tivoli at home to newly-promoted Meadhaven, Reno away to Harbour View, Sporting Central against Village at Brancourt, St George's travelling to Drewsland to face Waterhouse and Trench Town derby at Boys' Town's Collie Smith Drive home field that also includes Arnett Gardens.
Taken from www.jamaica-gleaner.com
Digicel, Nike to sponsor NPL football
published: Tuesday | August 12, 2008
Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer
Information reaching The Gleaner is that local telecommunications giant, Digicel, and international apparel manufacturer, Nike, are close to signing an agreement with the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA) - the representative body of National Premier Clubs - regarding sponsorship of the island's leading football competition for at least the next three seasons.
The sponsorship, which, it is understood, will see Digicel overtaking from the liquidated Cash Plus Limited as title sponsors of the league and Nike as the official gear and equipment provider, is said to be worth millions.
According to a number of Gleaner sources, "it is expected to be no less than the previous sponsorship agreement".
"It is going to be much more than the usual scenario. I understand that it will be huge," said one of the sources, who requested anonymity based on the fact that the announcement was not made public as yet. "The PLCA and potential sponsors are in dialogue and, in a matter of days, it is expected that they will conclude the deal."
No comment
However, officials of the PLCA declined to confirm the deal, saying nothing has been signed between the PLCA and sponsors as yet and that an official announcement will be made shortly at a press conference.
"I can't comment at this time, not until we have concluded all discussions and have documents signed and all parties are signed and agree. Thereafter, we will then make a formal public announcement, hopefully by next week or before the end of the week," said the PLCA official.
As it relates to who will be the new sponsors, a second PLCA official would not comment, only caring to say: "I can tell you that there will be a new sponsor and they will be unveiled shortly. It is an individual (company) that has forays in football in the past," the source said, before adding:
"Tomorrow (today) we will be having a meeting where it will be a major item of discussion and it is expected that we will be dotting 'i's and crossing the 't's as it relates to the sponsorship. We will then arrange a press conference, probably before the end of the week, where we will make a formal announcement."
According to information gleaned, both sponsorship deals are expected to last between three and five years, with Digicel, who is no stranger to local or regional football sponsorship, expected to bring their usual pomp and pageantry to the execution and promotion of the league.
Pomp and pageantry
Nike, in the meantime, which has been making inroads in the sports industry through Locker Room Sports, the official local distributors of Nike products, is expected to add to the occasion with the provision of team, player and spectator incentives.
"It is expected that Digicel will sponsor the league, provide prize monies and other incentives, including cellphone deals, products and services," explained a source, who added that, "Nike, in the meanwhile, is expected to outfit at least 10 of the 12 clubs with equipment throughout the sponsorship."
Two clubs, Harbour View and defending champions Portmore, who have team-kit deals with Adidas and Umbro, are not expected to benefit from Nike's association.
Meanwhile, it is understood that while Nike's involvement will be a welcome addition for the clubs, it will not be full sponsorship and, as such, clubs may require to meet the apparel manufacturers at least "quarter way".
Football product
The sponsorship means Digicel will take control of another major Caribbean football product, as, at present, they are title sponsors of the Caribbean Football Union Caribbean Championships and an official sponsor of the Reggae Boyz.
The NPL is scheduled to get under way on Sunday, August 31, with champions Portmore United opening against promoted Rivoli United.
Other matches that will be on are second-place finishers Tivoli at home to newly-promoted Meadhaven, Reno away to Harbour View, Sporting Central against Village at Brancourt, St George's travelling to Drewsland to face Waterhouse and Trench Town derby at Boys' Town's Collie Smith Drive home field that also includes Arnett Gardens.
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