put down your comments here on how we could improve the nfpl to match or even better than the south african league(psl)

1. Streaming and television options have to be improved. Coupled with that is a need for improved picture quality. Not necessarily HD, but certainly digital and that goes above the level of the league itself. Investment in quality commentators who can explain the game and highlight prospects will be important. A high-quality Youtube channel with extensive highlights would allow both Nigerians in Nigeria and ex-pats in the diaspora to follow the progress of the league.

2. Better stadiums. One positive development to this end is the fact that Akwa United has been playing matches in the Akwa International Stadium, turning a potential white elephant into a potential asset for growth and a source of pride for a club with new potential. More work needs to go into either renovating older assets or building new stadiums with both economic and aesthetic concerns taken into account. A good look needs to be taken at TP Mazembe's stadium, as it's a very economical stadium, with a smart design and a cozy, football-only interior which allows their fans to be very close to the pitch. It's constantly full and brings money back into the club.

3. The previous point dovetails into this next point: run clubs like businesses and not extensions of state governments. When clubs are being run as money-making enterprises, investments are made to improve the quality of the overall business. That means coaching, stadium and pitch quality, fan experience, advertising and exposure, and overall profile of the league. This requires the league to recruit businessmen into the league's ownerships. In the US, MLS has been active in recruiting wealthy investment groups to carry much of the heavy-lifting. These men and women have built stadiums, bought well-known stars from other leagues and introduced practices from varying industries to grow the product. Businessmen with experience in the NFL have brought their practices in promotion and improving attendance as well as negotiating tv deals; owners from other leagues, like the EPL, bring their management style and team development ideas; and owners from other industries bring business ideas on how to run profitable enterprises. Nigeria has many successful and wealthy individuals, like Mike Adenuga, the Chagoury Brothers, Folorunsho Alakija, Aliko Dangote and others who's money could be well spent in the NPL. Why they aren't already in the league is a major failing.

4. And finally, position the league as "Africa's Premier League". Doing these three things would be an important start to gaining traction, both in Nigeria and across Africa. Making a successful and profitable NPL could position the league as the go-to destination of Africa. Already Nigeria's music and movie industries are at the forefront all over much of Africa. Even in South Africa, Nigerian music is extremely prominent. A strong league in Nigeria would not only attract talented players form across the continent, it would also attract money and viewership as well. Days when West African Players who either will not or can not find a club in Europe look to North Africa for bigger paychecks should be a thing of the past. Nigerian players should also have home league to develop before going abroad much as Neymar was able to do before signing with Barca.

What happened to the Youtube channel? I was so happy to see the improved conditions, production and crowds out of the league as well as the channel itself showcasing games for the entire season and now,... nothing. A few videos this year but no games. What's going on? It was a good idea which I had called for in my above post (and they apparently had already been doing) but no follow-up so far...

Youtube is a potential revenue source if you can grow the channel and it takes years to do so. Here in the US, MLS' channel started with similar viewcounts and now averages 25k per highlight and up to several hundred thousand for big matches and one-off displays. They stuck with the channel and it grew. Same with J-league. Nigeria's league needed this channel, especially to promote the product to the diaspora who could pump potentially even more money into the league. Plus, look at how many views Nigerian music videos get these days. That's money right there. And it isn't expensive to upload videos,... it's free. They're already recording the matches, so why isn't someone up on this season? Disappointing to see a good idea go to waste...