SuperSport to show 30 live league games

Broadcasting giants SuperSport would show thirty (30) live Ghana Premier League games in the coming 2011/2012 season.

The station, which also has the largest concession of African leagues on its platform, begins coverage with Medeama’s home game with Wa All Stars on matchday one on SuperSport 7 at 1815 GMT (CAT -2).

Medeama have prepared well this preseason and nearly won the Glo 8 tournament but fell to Chelsea at the death. Wa All Stars, owned by the Ghana FA boss Kwesi Nyantakyi, will seek to improve on their mid-table reputation of seasons past.

The seasonal highlight between Hearts and Kotoko would be played in Accra on November 20 and would be broadcast at 1500 GMT, also on SuperSport 7.

The local rights holder for the competition is Optimum Media Prime and they have also been given a concession of forty-two (42) live games in the first round. All OMP’s coverage would be done by its auxilliary company, Metro TV.

Equal coverage

At the same meeting these pronouncements were made, it was announced that the Premier League clubs would be entitled to equal television coverage this season.

The Premier League Board quashed an earlier idea from rights holder, OMP, for the adoption of the English Premier League format. In England, 50 per cent of total money goes on an equal share basis to the 20 Premier League clubs, while relegated clubs also receive some of this money in the form of a parachute payment. 25 per cent of the money is paid as facility fees, which are determined by the number of appearances on television. 25 per cent is paid in merit payments, determined by the position that a club finished in the league.

For the Ghana League Clubs Association, this would not have augured well since it would clearly benefit the bigger teams. The season kicks off in under a fortnight on October 9.

Twitter: @garyalmsith