Can Facebook solve PSL’s broadcasting woes?

Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
A RECENT announcement by technological firm, Facebook, that they were developing a tool to allow users to be charged for access to live events could provide a panacea to the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League broadcasting income woes.

While live broadcasting has become a boon for football leagues all over the world, with clubs earning huge purses from television rights deals, the local premiership has failed to make any meaningful income from live broadcasts.

Highlanders early this year reported they received only $383 from television rights for the 2019 season from the PSL’s deal with the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), a far cry from what clubs are earning regionally and internationally. The amount Highlanders got is likely similar to what was received by other clubs in the PSL.

An announcement by Facebook recently read: “To support creators and small businesses, we plan to add the ability for Pages to charge for access to events with Live videos on Facebook — anything from online performances to classes to professional conferences.”