Sulom wants Tv deal review

The Super League of Malawi (Sulom) has said the Television and Digital Broadcasting Rights model should be revised as the current deal lacks transparency and accountability.

Sulom president Fleetwood Haiya disclosed this during the league governing body’s virtual Extra Ordinary General Meeting (EGM) Monday.

“We are reviewing the current TV and digital broadcasting rights model. We intend to build a model that is transparent and that will maximise gains for clubs as opposed to benefiting other third parties,” Haiya said.

Last year, Football Association of Malawi (Fam) awarded a contract to Mibawa Studios as content producers for live football broadcasters for all domestic matches including the TNM Super League.

Since last year, the Super League matches have been beamed on Mpira Television.

However, the league governing body wants Fam to unpack the details of the contracts it signed with content producers.

Following the development, Sulom has disclosed it will engage Fam to discuss the Mpira TV project.

In addition, Haiya also questioned the rationale of beaming Super League matches on Fifa TV for free saying the deal is not beneficial to the league governing’s body.

Haiya said the broadcasting deal has potential to generate more revenue for Super League teams after K15 million was realised in the opening matches of the new season.

Silver Strikers chairperson George Kaudza Masina said Fam should be open with the Mpira TV deal.

“As clubs, we feel cheated and we need transparency and accountability,” Masina said.

Last season, according to Fam, the TV deal grossed K123 million in broadcasting rights.

K61.1 million was total expenses whereas K62.1 million was the net revenue.

Each Super League team pocketed a meager K3 million the entire season.

According to the current deal, the 16 Super League clubs are entitled to 80 percent share with Sulom and Fam getting 10 percent each.

Mpira TV co-chairperson Felister Dossi said the matter is under discussion between Fam and Sulom.

“We are discussing how best to add value to the product,” Dossi said.

Sports analyst Parry Chinyama said it was a tricky issue.

“It is a challenge as to who owns football rights in Malawi. Let Sulom engage Fam otherwise there will be war,” he said.

Fam and Sulom co-owns the Mpira TV project.

In another related development, it was disclosed that Fam had turned down Sulom’s proposal to administer the Airtel Top 8 Cup which is competed by eight top clubs from the TNM Super League. Sulom also proposed to get a 10 percent share of gate revenue in the Airtel Top 8 Cup.

Meanwhile, Sulom also adopted the new constitution which will pave the way for hiring a permanent secretariat.

During the meeting, it was agreed that the new Chief Executive Officer will report to the General Secretary for proper transition.

Going forward, Sulom will abolish some positions including posts of General Secretary and Treasurer.