The Jamaica Star :: Sport :: Digicel confirmed as NPL sponsor

Digicel are the new sponsors of the National Premier League (NPL).

The local telecommunications company, which won the bid to sponsor the the league ahead of a competitive field, will sponsor the league to the tune of $148.95 million over three years.

"The proposal from Digicel was by far the best submitted," said Edward Seaga, chairman of the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA), in a release faxed to the media.

"The offer is for three years with base payment of $148.95 million, or $45 million in one year, increased by 10 per cent per annum in year two and three," he added.

To replace the now defunct Cash Plus Limited, Digicel is expected to bring their usual flair to the marketing and promotion of the league, and in the release, the company's acting head of brand marketing, Wayne Miller, said it will be new and different.

Promotional platform

"The proposal also offers a new and attractive feature, of creating a dynamic promotional platform for the development of the league," said Miller. "Public response through text messages will be invited to select various best performers and to respond to other promotional teasers to push the awareness and involvement of spectators to a higher level.

"Digicel will contribute the proceeds of these text messages to the sponsorship which would add another $5 million at least to the sponsorship total in year one, and perhaps more thereafter," he added.

The Digicel sponsorship, which is expected to be made official at a formal press conference, is expected to be the main in a number of sponsorship deals that the PLCA is pursuing, with international apparel manufacturer, Nike, through their local distributors Locker Room Sports, expected to join the foray as official team kit providers for at least 10 of the 12 participating teams.

Champions Portmore United will open the defence of their title against promoted parish rival, Rivoli United, at Ferdie Neita Park in one of six matches that are down to be played on the opening weekend.

The others are: Tivoli Gardens against first-timers Meadhaven United at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex, Village United away to Sporting Central, Waterhouse at home to St Georges, Boys' Town against Arnett Gardens at Collie Smith Drive, and Sporting Central Academy vs Reno.

- Jermaine Lannaman