Chop FAM’S gate revenue—clubs
Super League clubs want Football Association of Malawi (FAM) to give up a chunk of its gate collections share to the teams as the country’s economic problems continue hitting hard.
The association gets 10 percent from league games and 20 percent from cup games under its jurisdiction.
The clubs are also demanding a cut from cup games broadcasting rights revenue.
Nyasa Big Bullets acting general secretary Kelvin Moyo said it was irrational that FAM pockets a “hefty 20 percent” when in every tournament’s budget there is an allocation for administration.
“There is need for the reduction in the FAM cut so that clubs, most of which are financially unstable, can be earning more from the gate revenue,” said Moyo.
The issue was also raised at Super League of Malawi (Sulom) Annual General Meeting (AGM) last Saturday and the delegates adopted the resolution following a proposal submitted by Nyasa Big Bullets.
Moyo could not be drawn to propose how much they want FAM to be getting saying: “The best way is that we sit down with FAM officials so we reach a win-win agreement.”
On the broadcasting rights, Moyo said they want FAM to resume sharing with the clubs the fees it collects from the radio and television stations.
“FAM stopped giving us the money despite the games being broadcast live on radio and beamed on local television channels. We want our share,” he said.
Red Lions chairperson Rodgers Mhango in an interview said he backs the proposal because it would help clubs to pay off their debts.
“Most clubs are either lacking sponsorship or they are hugely underfunded. Such clubs have debts after failing to pay Super League affiliation fees. FAM can help us to be financially stable by giving up some percentage from the gate revenue,” he said.
Sulom general secretary Williams Banda said they will arrange a meeting with FAM so that the clubs can present their grievances.
“If the other clubs endorsed the proposal it means that they have a sound argument. We will ask for an audience with FAM so that the clubs can be heard,” he said.
FAM commercial director Limbani Matola said he has heard about the club’s complaints, but they would wait for the official communication from Sulom before commenting thoroughly on the issue.
“Officially, we don’t know the justification behind their demand for the changes. Until we get the minutes of the AGM, We won’t comment much,” Matola said.
