NPFL Unveils YouTube Deal In Major Push For Global Exposure

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has entered into a landmark partnership with Murphy Ben International (MBI) to stream selected league matches live on YouTube, in a major push to expand the reach and commercial appeal of domestic football.

The agreement, unveiled at a signing ceremony, will make selected NPFL matches available to supporters through the league’s official YouTube channel, allowing fans to watch on mobile phones, televisions, laptops and other internet-enabled devices.

NPFL Chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, described the partnership as a significant milestone in the league’s efforts to make its matches more accessible to supporters in Nigeria and across the world.

For years, the question of where fans could watch NPFL matches has been a major challenge. Elegbeleye said the new arrangement would provide a direct answer to that problem.

“There will be no more excuses of ‘I didn’t see the match,’” he said, adding that fans would have access to selected live matches and delayed broadcasts in high definition and free of charge.
The agreement followed weeks of discussions between the NPFL and MBI, including meetings in Abuja and a visit by the league to MBI’s headquarters in Lagos.

Elegbeleye said the partnership goes beyond broadcasting, stressing that it would create new revenue opportunities, enhance the visibility of clubs and players, and strengthen the league’s commercial prospects.

He said the NPFL was seeking to replicate the global reach achieved by Nigeria’s music and film industries by using digital platforms to tell the stories of its clubs, players, coaches and supporters.

“MBI, through its digital and technical expertise, will support the NPFL with improved production and distribution capabilities, while the partnership will also focus on telling the stories behind the league,” Elegbeleye said.

MBI Chairman, Murphy Anawana, described the agreement as an opportunity to showcase Nigerian domestic football to a global audience.

He assured the NPFL that the company would deploy its production capabilities and extensive social media reach to help position the league as one of Africa’s leading domestic competitions.

“This partnership will focus on digital broadcasting, storytelling, promotion, fan engagement and commercial partnerships,” Anawana said.

Under the arrangement, multiple NPFL matches will be available through live coverage and delayed broadcasts on the league’s official YouTube channel on matchdays.