Nationwide League One (NLO), the grassroots football league in Nigeria, is on the verge of finalizing its largest sponsorship deal to date, worth millions of naira. Additionally, the league is set to announce partnerships with two foreign service providers, marking a significant breakthrough in the development of grassroots football in the country.
NLO Chairman and former Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Silas Agara, shed light on the upcoming deal, expressing his satisfaction with the growing interest from various brands in the league.
He emphasized the NLO’s ambition to become a global phenomenon and the most successful grassroots football league in Africa, a challenge posed by the President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau.
The first partnership entails a four-year sponsorship deal with a lottery company licensed by the Nigeria Lottery Commission, which will serve as the NLO’s title sponsor. The agreement will be unveiled on Thursday, March 14, 2024, and is expected to provide substantial financial support to the league.
The following day, on Friday, March 15, the NLO will unveil four prospective partners. Among them is a Croatian-based sports tracking platform with a user base of over 25 million active monthly users worldwide.
This partnership is particularly beneficial for NLO clubs as it not only provides access to advanced tracking technology but also mandates the NLO to assist in bringing other leagues in Nigeria on board. Although no financial value is involved in this partnership, the shared benefits in developing the league have been agreed upon.
Another IT firm has committed to developing websites for all NLO clubs and establishing social media channels for them. The firm will also provide training to club officials on managing the websites and optimizing the social media handles to generate funds in support of the clubs. The NLO recognizes this as an excellent avenue for club development and an additional revenue stream for its clubs.
Furthermore, two other technical partners will join the NLO in facilitating talent discovery through the use of technology. These partners will serve as development partners for the league, gaining access to NLO data. In return, the NLO will share in the revenue generated from the sale of the data, with mechanisms in place to monitor the use of the data by the partners.
In a bid to reach a wider audience and engage passionate followers of the league, the NLO has launched two channels on Blend TV, expanding its media presence.
Overall, the upcoming sponsorship deal and partnerships with foreign service providers signify a significant milestone for the NLO and the growth of grassroots football in Nigeria. With increased financial support, advanced technology, and strategic collaborations, the league aims to elevate its status and become a leading force in African grassroots football.
