The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), yesterday, got a big boost through a live streaming partnership expected to earn the league more than $5 million yearly.
  
It is a partnership between NPFL’s Interim Management Committee, its finance partners, GTI and Propel Sports Africa, which will from next season stream NPFL games live to different parts of the world.
 
Speaking at the unveiling of the partnership in Lagos, yesterday, Propel Sports’ Basil Kabbani, said the NPFL live powered by his outfit and GTI will commence the live streaming of the games on a dedicated OTT platform, known as NPFL live, on a platform that would be communicated to sports lovers soon.
  
He said that the project was enabled by the world’s most advanced AI technology, adding that the NPFL would be the first league in Africa to deploy the technology.
 
“Pixellot, the world-leading provider of AI-automated sports video and data solutions, and ITV Africa are proud to announce a partnership with NPFL, GTI and Propel Sports Africa, revolutionising sports coverage in the country by enabling comprehensive coverage of the league’s matches in a groundbreaking hybrid broadcast format combining AI with human operators.
  
“In addition to the expanded game coverage, GTI and Propel Sports Africa will also provide the NPFL with an Over-The-Top (OTT) platform ‘NPFL live.’
  
“This dedicated streaming app will allow fans to enjoy live matches and exclusive content anytime, anywhere. The OTT solution will be customised to reflect NPFL’s branding and provide a seamless user experience for football enthusiasts in Nigeria and throughout the world.”

Excited by the expected live streaming of NPFL games, IMC chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, said the development has justified its partnership with GTI, adding that live streaming of matches would bring a new vista to Nigerian football.
  
He said: “We were convinced that GTI would help birth a new era in the Nigerian league hence we chose to partner with them among many other organisations that wanted to work with us.
  
“When we talked with GTI, they discussed money as well as ways to grow the system. They agreed to offset the debts owed referees. They now pay referees a day before every game.
  
“GTI paid the clubs N10 million each, which is N200 million in total, before the commencement of the league. With this new deal, we will make money, the clubs will make money and the players will also make money.
 
“We are looking at a situation where the least paid player will earn N1 million. This way, we will attract foreign players to the league and with Propel Sports, over 100 countries will be able to watch the Nigerian league.”