This is a continuation of the series on how the Nigeria Professional League can generate more revenue and start being sustainable without government intervention. You can read the first part of the series here and the second part of the series here
How NPFL Clubs Can Grow Digital Income and Merchandise Sales
Most NPFL clubs rely on transfer fees and matchday income to generate revenue leaving other streams of income that can reward them handsomely.
Digital income and merchandise are streams of income for modern football clubs that most NPFL clubs ignore. Only few clubs in the NPFL have a strong online presence or a functional merchandise system. The one or two clubs that have this understand it and have turned their fans into paying customers not just fair-weather fans.
Build a Consistent Online Presence
NPFL clubs must take online platforms as part of their business assets and treat them as one. A strong online presence increases fan engagement and drives up merchandise sales.
NPFL clubs should maintain active accounts on
- YouTube
- TikTok
- X (Twitter)
They can use these channels to post content such as
- Match highlights
- Training clips
- Player interviews
- Behind-the-scenes footage
- New signings unveiling
- Viral contents
Consistent posting builds a global following which lead to more interactions and increased potential online earnings.
Monetizing Social Media
Most social media platforms can be monetized now, and it is easier for an official football club account to monetize faster than individuals.
YouTube and X(Twitter) are one of the easiest platforms to monetize football content. Clubs can earn from the Ad revenue and even sponsored videos which help their revenue goals.
Most NPFL clubs don’t know that consistent online presence can generate steady revenue for them year round even when the football season is not on.
Merchandise Sales
Shirt sponsors and shirt manufacturers pay millions of dollars to design or brand foreign clubs jerseys. This is because merchandise is not a small thing out there. It is a major source of revenue anywhere in the world except in the NPFL.
Most NPFL clubs have almost zero branding with poor production on their merchandise. They leave it in the hands of quack.
Essential merchandise items such as
- Official jerseys
- Retro kits
- Training kits
- Scarves
- Caps
- Hoodies
- Bags
must be monetized to the maximum. Players and club ambassadors can be used to promote the merchandise to get desirable result.
The fans will buy the merchandise if it is official and appealing to the eyes. Every fan wants to identify with his/her favourite club.
Club Membership Programs
I have never been to London, but I am an official fan of Arsenal football club. I do receive coupon codes and other discounts in my mail on regular basis.
This is what membership programs is all about. They generate recurring revenue by turning fans into returning customers.
Membership benefits includes
- Early access to merchandise
- Discounted tickets
- Discounted merchandise sales
- Monthly newsletters
- Member-only forums
They give the fans a sense of belonging.
E-Commerce Presence
Arsenal has an e-commerce website Arsenal direct where you can purchase merchandise without visiting the stadium or even the city Arsenal is located. You can buy it there and it get shipped to wherever you are in the world.
The online store doesn’t need to be complicated. You need it to be a
- A basic online store
- Mobile-friendly design
- Integrated payment options
- Clear product photos
- Delivery options
This changes the whole business landscape for the club and generates a new source of revenue.
Result
Having a strong online presence and a well-structured merchandise system introduces another form of revenue for NPFL clubs. They allow a football club to be financially stable regardless of government funding.