Two things stand out ahead of the new Malaysian football league season that starts on Feb 24.
- The tie-up between Malaysia Football League (MFL) and broadcasting giant, Astro.
- The revised kick-off times (5.30pm, 7.30pm, 8.15pm and 9pm).
Let’s start with the broadcasting deal. It was an open secret, one that the stakeholders tried very hard to put a lid on.
Staunch fans had somehow known that MFL had inked a deal with Astro to air all the domestic matches – the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Cup, Super League, FA Cup, and Malaysia Cup.
Some football supporters were excited, others not so. The extreme contrast in views was expected.
The cat was finally let out of the bag, via Astro’s statement, yesterday. It was released just minutes after Digital Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil revealed that RTM would air 75 matches of the domestic competitions organised by MFL.
Astro’s commitment with MFL is until 2025. That’s three seasons of Malaysian football, brought to you by Astro.
“MFL took a big step last year by announcing the restructuring of Liga Malaysia, and we believe Astro is the ideal partner to broadcast more matches in the quality that fans have been looking for,” MFL chief executive officer Stuart Ramalingam said in the Astro press release.
“Astro’s involvement this time will certainly increase the attraction and awareness of the development of Liga Malaysia, and thus increase the commercial value of each match and strengthen the country’s football ecosystem to be enjoyed by many parties.”
What was missing from the press release, as expected, was the amount Astro would be handing out to MFL annually.
While such figures, generally in the tune of hundreds of millions of ringgit, are usually kept private and confidential, it is important to note that a large sum of that money will be distributed to the participating football clubs.
This is important, given that despite the professionalism tag, some clubs still struggle to pay the wages of their footballers.
Sarawak United FC and Melaka United FC are the latest to hit the headlines for not paying their players’ salaries.
Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia chief executive officer Izham Ismail tweeted on Jan 20: “Travesty that in 2023, the Malaysian football industry continues to perpetuate systematic and widespread contractual violations, with players from Sarawak being subjected to four months of unpaid salaries totalling over RM400,000. Unfair, heartless, and absolutely ridiculous”.
That says it all.
There are voices of discontent, demanding for matches to continue to be aired for free on platforms like YouTube. This, no doubt, would benefit only the fans, and not the football ecosystem. MFL would not get a single sen from the global online video sharing platform.
Stuart acknowledged this when he spoke to Twentytwo13 last night.
He explained that it was only natural for MFL to aspire to international standards.
“These things are going to be measured against international products, and rightfully so,” said Stuart.
“Our priority is to increase the value and revenue for the teams. When matches are offered for free on YouTube, only YouTube makes money.”
He added that MFL had to prioritise the need to get clubs on a platform that would add value to their respective brands.
Stuart added that production was key and that programmes that helped dress up the main event – the football matches – are equally important to attract more fans to be a part of the M-League experience.
The initial talks with Astro also focused on MFL’s plan to revise the kick-off times. Previously, matches were played at 8.45pm. This would mean that fans would be heading back home late at night after the game, discouraging parents from bringing their children to flock the stands, especially on weekdays.
The late kick-off also limits the window for business opportunities – whether it’s selling food or merchandise.
“The idea is to attract the fans, who now support foreign teams, to get them back to the stands and fall in love with the local teams,” said Stuart.
“We are offering a time belt that doesn’t clash with foreign leagues. We now have our own space and prime time.”
He added that this would open up the match day revenue, with more families coming to the stadiums. This would also generate more spending opportunities.
“All these decisions that we have made, from the selection of the broadcaster to the timing of the matches, are all interconnected. The idea is to get more people to be a part of Malaysian football.”
Dealing with the right parties is imperative to avoid unnecessary grief.
In March 2019, MFL filed a lawsuit against Telekom Malaysia, seeking compensation of over RM400 million, following an alleged breach of contract after the telecommunications company reportedly failed to make payments for sponsorship and broadcasting rights this year. However, MFL dropped the lawsuit several months later.
MFL had also initiated legal action against iflix for breach of contract. This was following a 10-year deal signed between both parties in 2018 for the video-on-demand provider to show domestic matches for free.
In 2017, the FA of Malaysia got into a legal tussle with international media rights firm, MP & Silva – after both parties had signed a 15-year, RM1.26 billion deal a year earlier.
Astro, however, is no stranger to the domestic scene.
Hopefully, this renewed partnership will help Stuart and Co. elevate the standards of the M-League and meet the expectations of loyal football fans who can play a role in uplifting Malaysian football.
