Super League grosses K420M

The 2016 TNM Super League season grossed a record K420 579 639.85 of which K157 874 509.12  million was shared by the 16 clubs.

The clubs’ total share represents 38 percent of the total gate collections while the total gross of the season translates to 34 percent nominal growth compared to last season’s K314 502 686.07.

According to a statement of the gate revenue collections released by the flagship league-runners—Super League of Malawi (Sulom)—crowd pullers Nyasa Big Bullets earned the highest share—K42.65 million.

Bullets treasurer Alex Gondwe said although the figure was “quite satisfactory”, Sulom needs to come up with stringent gate management measures to ensure that the clubs make more money.

“Most teams do not have sound sponsorship as such, they depend on gate revenue. It is, therefore, imperative for Sulom to put in place strict measures in gate management,” he said.

Gondwe also said their share greatly supplemented the sponsorship from Nyasa Manufacturing Company (NMC).

Be Forward Wanderers were the second highest earners, having raked in K32 233 675.73—almost K10 million less than Bullets’ share.

Silver Strikers came third having grossed K14.8 million whereas Blue Eagles were fourth on K7.4 million.

The Peoples Team’s K42.65 million share represents 27 percent of the total teams share.

Bullets and Nomads supporters get 10 percent of their respective teams’ gate collection earnings and this means Bullets supporters pocketed about K4.2 million while their Nomads counterparts got almost K3.2 million.

Nomads’ self-proclaimed chief supporter and former main supporters committee chairperson Yona Malunga said the money given to the supporters could have made a big difference in the operations of the two teams.

“K4.2 million and K3.2 million is just too much to be shared among supporters. As I said, it is supposed to be the other way round. Supporters are supposed to raise money to supplement their teams’ budgets and not vice versa

“I will continue to lobby for the abolition of this arrangement, not only at Wanderers, but Bullets as well,” said the flamboyant fan.

MTV Max Bullets, who withdrew from the league in the second-round, were the least earners on K3 million.

Lilongwe-based soccer analyst Kim Kamau said the total gross and Max Bullets’ share could have been a bit more had they not pulled out from the league.

“Obviously, Max Bullets’ withdrawal had an effect on the gate revenue, it would have been a bit more,” he said.

According to Somba-Banda, Sulom and Football Association of Malawi’s share was K31 656 546.55 each, ground owners got 19 percent of the gross collections (K79.151 million) while stakeholders (police, stewards, cashiers, etc) received K103 417 249 which is 25 percent of the gross. n