[size=14pt]OSMI acquires 2014 FIFA World Cup rights for Nigeria[/size]


Posted by Hope Albert

Optima Sports Management International (OSMI) has been awarded the exclusive Free TV media rights for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil and other FIFA events in Nigeria.

At a press briefing which took place in Lagos on Tuesday, Rotimi Pedro, CEO of OSMI, said: “We are extremely pleased that FIFA has chosen to award these rights to OSMI and we are truly thankful for the opportunity to continue bringing the best of International Football to Nigeria’s millions of passionate fans. The vote of confidence from FIFA is quite reassuring, and the responsibility to Nigeria, humbling.”

The media rights include TV, Radio and Mobile rights. The package of rights which OSMI has been awarded includes: the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013, FIFA U-20 World Cup 2013, FIFA U-17 World Cup 2013, FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2013, FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2014 and FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2014 as well as the 2014 FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil.

Niclas Ericson, Director of FIFA’s TV Division, said: “FIFA is pleased to confirm our partnership with OSMI in Nigeria after the successful implementation of the media rights programme in Nigeria for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Nigerian football fans are in for a true treat from the upcoming events that will feature Nigeria’s national teams.”

[size=14pt]Nigerians To Watch 2014 FIFA World Cup Free[/size]

December 4, 2013

Nigerians will be able to watch their favourite Super Eagles and other teams on terrestrial TV going by the recent partnership between Optima Sports Management International(OSMI) and FIFA. The world governing body awarded the exclusive free TV media rights for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and other FIFA events in the Nigerian territory. The media rights include TV, Radio and Mobile rights.

However, the CEO of Osmi, Rotimi Pedro noted in a chat with the SportingLife that though it is free of right fees but it will be monetised through other means such as the viewing centres and advertisers who intend staking their money for leverage for their organisations.

Pedro said:”In 2010, we had a successful outing. 2014 will indeed not be an exception. We can’t afford to disenfranchise Nigerians, majority of them still watch free TV. It is indeed available to all broadcasters including VON. We are, however, open for discussion on redistribution of the content.”

Collaborating Pedro’s views, OSMI’s Adeoye Ronuga added:” After the World Cup draws, sponsors can afford themselves the different packages ranging from Platinum, gold and silver to suit their preferences. We have put our money in line hence the need to commercialise some aspects. There would be discounts ranging from 10 to 20 per cent for the targeted customers though.”

In the same vein, Niclas Ericson, Director of FIFA’s TV Division, said: “FIFA is pleased to confirm our partnership with OSMI in Nigeria after the successful implementation of the media rights programme in Nigeria for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Nigerian football fans are in for a true treat from the upcoming event that will feature Nigeria’s nationalteams.”

Meanwhile, the package of rights which OSMI has been awarded includes: 2014 FIFA U-17 Women’s W/Cup; 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s W/Cup; FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup,2013 FIFA Confederations Cup 2013; FIFA U-20 World Cup 2013 ;FIFA U-17 World Cup 2013 as well as the 2014 FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil.

handebayor: Bad news for multichoice owned DSTV

locust01: Bad market.

handebayor: Bad news for multichoice owned DSTV

CFCfan: Nice. I suspect that OSMI would demand fees from the telecoms companies who are interested in carrying the mobile broadcast.
That would be an additional way in which OSMI can earn some more money, to negate the effect of broadcasting the tourney for free to the tv and radio stations.

CFCfan: Super Sport will still broadcast the tournament on pay-tv in Nigeria.