StarTimes has acquired broadcast rights for the Ugandan Premier League and Uganda’s second division league for $7,240,000 over ten years.
A similar deal between the Chinese company and the Kenyan Premier League flopped earlier this year as the two parties disagreed on the nitty-gritties.
“We took this decision to give back to the people of Uganda because of their passion for football,” Andy Wang, StarTimes CEO said during the unveiling ceremony on Thursday.
StarTimes also holds the same rights for the Ghana’s topflight and was angling to acquire the KPL’s as well but the deal hit a snag at the last minute.
KPL refused an “exploitative” wholesome contract that could have seen them forgo the league’s major rights like Pay TV, Free To Air and OTT for a song, according to sources.
KPL, who is still without a broadcaster since South Africa’s Supersport left two years back, also turned down StarTimes’ demands to have all clubs wear shirts with their logo on the front part at no extra cost.
There were also claims of conflict of interests that ensured the deal did not see the light of day.
Read: Brand Kenya Honoured Agreement, KRU Mismanaging Rugby In The Country
As part of the Ghana deal, the company was to construct artificial pitches across the country but they are yet deliver on the same.
Ghanaians have also voiced concerns over poor production of the league matches by StarTimes as they lack personnel and equipment.
The Ugandan PL was left without a broadcast partner after Tanzania’s Azam TV opted out and the end of their contract at the end of last season.
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