THE Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has clinched a lucrative renewable Premier League sponsorship deal worth over K10 billion with mobile network provider MTN. According to sources, the deal which will initially run for about three to four years has already been signed and will soon be announced.
The source said the deal does not clash with Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) sponsorship, which ends next year. KCM only sponsors prizes at the end of the season but MTN will take full responsibility of the league.
Pay TV SuperSport currently gives Super Division clubs US$25,000 for the beaming of league games. The KCM sponsorship is also renewable.
The source said FAZ and MTN have already signed the deal and will soon officially announce.
“This is one of the most lucrative league sponsorship deals FAZ has ever clinched. The deal has already been sealed and they will announce soon,” the impeccable source said.
The source said the MTN deal will take full sponsorship of the Premier League.
“KCM only sponsors prizes but MTN will take full responsibility of all the teams in the league. The two will not clash,” the source said.
The MTN deal will be similar to Barclays’ sponsorship of the English Premiership and the Amalgamated Bank of South Africa (ABSA)’s Premier Soccer League (PSL), among other professional leagues.
All teams in the leagues are given money by either sponsor at the beginning of the season.
But when contacted, FAZ communications manager Erick Mwanza said there is no such deal and if there will be any, he would communicate.
“The problem with you guys is that you like speculating. While we are determined to attract business houses in our bid to commercialise football, when such a thing happens, we will communicate as we have always done,” he said.
And when contacted, MTN chief executive officer Farad Khan confirmed that his marketing department is in negotiations with FAZ.
“The marketing department has been negotiating with FAZ but we will get back to you,” Khan said.
[Daily Mail]