Nigeria Professional Football League champions to get N40m as prize money

The league organisers have announced a new cash reward for the Nigeria topflight kings as the current campaign come to an end this weekend

The League Management Company has announced that the Nigeria Professional Football League champions will receive forty million naira as prize money.

Leaders Enugu Rangers and closest rival Rivers United are the main contenders with the Flying Antelopes needing a point against El Kanemi Warriors to win their first diadem in 32 years.

In a statement, the LMC announced that 19 league clubs will share a total of N200m as cash reward for final position aside expelled Giwa FC.

It would be recalled that Enyimba who emerged champions last season got thirty million naira as a prize money from the shared 150 million naira.

“The top three Clubs on the final table usually received the chunk of the Merit Award which supports the clubs financially in their preparation for the CAF Club competitions the next season,” the LMC announced.

“The champions would have received a minimum of N90m in all direct payments for the 2016 season including the Basic Award which comprises of pool of funds shared equally amongst all the 20 participating clubs, the merit award paid to clubs based on their final position on the table, the Football development and the Bonus award which is paid to clubs based on performances including incentives for improving match attendance, away wins/draw, fielding players under the age of 18 and hosting live broadcast matches.

“The lowest placed team in the NPFL this season would thus have received N55m in direct payments from the LMC from all payment Centres.

“In addition to the direct payments clubs do also benefit from other indirect payments such as free registration of players and officials, free insurance, payment of match officials’ indemnities and hotel accommodation as well as sponsored seminars and other engagements funded by the LMC.”