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Premier League Clubs protest Broadcasting Money allocations

Botswana Premier League (BPL) clubs are not happy with how the broadcasting rights money has been shared between them and the league secretariat. The teams say most of the money has been allocated to the league office instead of supporting clubs. Thirteen clubs have written a petition to the league chairman to protest the decision. They argue that the money should help the teams directly because they are the ones carrying the financial burden of running football activities every week. “You would know that our teams are overstretched with the day-to-day running of team affairs. As such, any income or sponsorship intended to help the teams should do exactly that. It should not be diverted or treat the teams as secondary beneficiaries,” the petition from the clubs reads. The 13 teams which have signed the petition are Calendar Stars, Extension Gunners, Mochudi Centre Chiefs, Police, Orapa United, Tafic, Black Lions, Township Rollers, Morupule Wanderers, Nico United, Gaborone United, Matebele and Santa Green. The three that did not sign are BDF XI, Jwaneng Galaxy and Sua Flamingoes. Information given to the clubs shows that the league board resolved to allocate 36.8% of the broadcasting money to the teams, while 63.2% will go to the league office for administrative operations. The national broadcasting rights are worth P5 million. Based on the current allocation, the league office will receive P3,160,000 while the 16 premier league teams will share P1,840,000. Clubs argued that such an allocation is unfair. They are demanding that 80% of the P5 million should go to the clubs and only 20% should be kept by the league office. The clubs have gone as far as threatening not to allow their matches to be televised if their demands are ignored. “We demand that the teams receive 80% of the BTV monies, and the office keeps 20% as an administration fee. If the board does not agree, we, the undersigned teams, have decided that we will not allow our matches to be broadcast on national television,” the petition reads. In response to the petition, Botswana Football League (BFL) board chairperson informed the teams their request will have adverse implications on the day-to-day operations of the league secretariat. “We acknowledge receipt of your letter requesting that clubs be paid 80% of the P5 million television rights revenue for the current season. We appreciate the engagement and wish to provide full clarity on the league’s financial position, operations and the implications of your request.” The chairperson reminded the teams that the Botswana Football League is a private company owned by the 16 clubs. He explained that the league office, also known as the secretariat, is responsible for organising and managing competitions on behalf of the teams. This includes arranging fixtures, appointing and paying referees, and ensuring that competitions are run according to the rules. He also noted that since its formation, the BFL has never received capital funding from its shareholders, who are the clubs. Because of this, the secretariat relies completely on sponsorship money and broadcasting income to carry out its duties. The chairperson pointed out that in previous seasons, the league received P8 million in television rights. Under that arrangement, each club received P200,000 while the remaining amount was used to fund league operations. He stressed that the league must cover several mandatory match-day expenses, which amount to about P3.6 million. These include paying referees, security, medical services, match commissioners and other operational costs required for every game. He further said while the league understands the financial struggles of the clubs, ‘if the league office does not receive enough money, it will not be able to run the league smoothly.’ He said the current broadcast revenue is already lower than in previous years, making it difficult to meet all operational needs. The matter remains unresolved, and the teams are still waiting for further engagement from the league board. For now, the threat to block TV coverage remains on the table as the clubs push for a bigger share of the broadcasting money.

admin December 3, 2025 3 min read

Thirteen clubs have written a petition to the league chairman to protest the decision. They argue that the money should help the teams directly because they are the ones carrying the financial burden of running football activities every week.

“You would know that our teams are overstretched with the day-to-day running of team affairs. As such, any income or sponsorship intended to help the teams should do exactly that. It should not be diverted or treat the teams as secondary beneficiaries,” the petition from the clubs reads.

The 13 teams which have signed the petition are Calendar Stars, Extension Gunners, Mochudi Centre Chiefs, Police, Orapa United, Tafic, Black Lions, Township Rollers, Morupule Wanderers, Nico United, Gaborone United, Matebele and Santa Green. The three that did not sign are BDF XI, Jwaneng Galaxy and Sua Flamingoes.

Information given to the clubs shows that the league board resolved to allocate 36.8% of the broadcasting money to the teams, while 63.2% will go to the league office for administrative operations. The national broadcasting rights are worth P5 million. Based on the current allocation, the league office will receive P3,160,000 while the 16 premier league teams will share P1,840,000.

Clubs argued that such an allocation is unfair. They are demanding that 80% of the P5 million should go to the clubs and only 20% should be kept by the league office. The clubs have gone as far as threatening not to allow their matches to be televised if their demands are ignored.

“We demand that the teams receive 80% of the BTV monies, and the office keeps 20% as an administration fee. If the board does not agree, we, the undersigned teams, have decided that we will not allow our matches to be broadcast on national television,” the petition reads.

In response to the petition, Botswana Football League (BFL) board chairperson informed the teams their request will have adverse implications on the day-to-day operations of the league secretariat.

“We acknowledge receipt of your letter requesting that clubs be paid 80% of the P5 million television rights revenue for the current season. We appreciate the engagement and wish to provide full clarity on the league’s financial position, operations and the implications of your request.”

The chairperson reminded the teams that the Botswana Football League is a private company owned by the 16 clubs. He explained that the league office, also known as the secretariat, is responsible for organising and managing competitions on behalf of the teams. This includes arranging fixtures, appointing and paying referees, and ensuring that competitions are run according to the rules.

He also noted that since its formation, the BFL has never received capital funding from its shareholders, who are the clubs. Because of this, the secretariat relies completely on sponsorship money and broadcasting income to carry out its duties.

The chairperson pointed out that in previous seasons, the league received P8 million in television rights. Under that arrangement, each club received P200,000 while the remaining amount was used to fund league operations. He stressed that the league must cover several mandatory match-day expenses, which amount to about P3.6 million. These include paying referees, security, medical services, match commissioners and other operational costs required for every game.

He further said while the league understands the financial struggles of the clubs, ‘if the league office does not receive enough money, it will not be able to run the league smoothly.’ He said the current broadcast revenue is already lower than in previous years, making it difficult to meet all operational needs.

The matter remains unresolved, and the teams are still waiting for further engagement from the league board. For now, the threat to block TV coverage remains on the table as the clubs push for a bigger share of the broadcasting money.