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Trinidad and Tobago Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene admitted that the local top flight competition is facing the toughest fight of its 14 year existence, as uncertainty over government funding and the poor economic climate are among several factors overshadowing the 2016/17 season.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Defending champions Central FC, who won successive Pro League and Caribbean Cup titles over the past two seasons, are looking increasingly vulnerable after losing two title sponsors—SIS and Bankers Insurance—in the past year.
Skeene admitted that Central were in financial dire straits and had even broached the idea of participating in the 2016/17 CONCACAF Champions League while taking a hiatus from the Pro League.
The Champions League raised its allowance to participating clubs from US$40,000 (TT$265,500) to US$75,000 (TT$498,000) per away game, which means the “Couva Sharks” would collect US$150,000 (TT$996,000) for their trips to Honduras and Mexico in the tournament’s group stage.
It is unlikely that CONCACAF would allow Central to participate in its showcase club tournament under those circumstances, even if the Pro League board did.
But Skeene insisted that Central, like the Pro League’s nine other clubs, were expected back next season.
Harrison served as Sport Minister Brent Sancho’s advisor, last year, and is a former voluntary worker with the UK’s Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA).
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
“We had a board meeting [last week] and all the clubs were discussing the new season,” Skeene told Wired868. “The general consensus is that things are tight. With the subvention cut, the clubs are talking about rearranging for new season.
“Central said there are challenges but they didn’t say they are out. Everybody is talking to sponsors and reviewing their processes.”
Central might have as many internal issues as they do external ones.
Skeene confirmed that the Sharks, who are led by former Sport Minister Brent Sancho and Kevin Harrison, received TT$600,000 in prize money in April for their successful 2014/15 title run. The Pro League is due to make an additional TT$260,000 payment to Central soon.
However, Wired868’s checks revealed that they are yet to pay bonuses to players and staff.
The Pro League CEO said the club’s former captain, Marvin Oliver, will be paid since he lodged a complaint directly with the governing body. The remaining Central players and staff members are believed to be negotiating directly with the club.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Sancho and Harrison also face a Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) investigation for four matters related to alleged corruption and/or financial mismanagement at the Sharks.
However, current TTFA president David John-Williams, who is also the owner of Pro League club, W Connection, has not addressed the Central matter since his election on 29 November 2015.
Ironically, John-Williams has faced complaints about his own behaviour as a club owner. He was involved in a two month stand off between Connection and its young forward Dwight Quintero before the club belatedly agreed to pay for its employee’s emergency operation in April.
Central are not the only Pro League entity who are struggling financially though, after the Ministry of Sport cut its subvention to clubs from TT$80,000 per month to TT$50,000.
The Pro League clubs are uncertain about even the reduced subvention for next term and there were suggestions that the board might delay the start of the 2016/17 Pro League season until after the October budget to be sure of government aid. The season is otherwise expected to commence in early September.
(Courtesy Francisco Estrada/Jam MEDIA)
However, Morvant Caledonia United co-founder Jamaal Shabazz believes rumours that the government might scrap its subvention altogether are probably a case of scaremongering.
“A member of Central FC first alerted [the board] to that concern about the subvention,” said Shabazz. “I, for one, am not unduly worried. No such communication has come from the Ministry or Sports Company.”
Skeene and Shabazz both raised several ideas for revitalising the Pro League and boosting the financial health of its stakeholders. Not for the first time, community grounds were a key talking point.
Skeene hinted that the short-term future of Japs North East Stars, who were Pro League champions in 2004, might rely on their ability to source a ground.
The Sangre Grande-based club were forced to play their home games as far away as Couva last season since the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar does not have functioning lights, and cannot facilitate kick offs later than 4 pm.
Central won 4-0 to retain the Pro League title.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Ironically, Jabloteh’s decision to move their home games to the Barataria Recreation Ground last season, which was greeted by an immediate spike in supporters, was scuttled after a few games as at least one team refused to play there.
“There was a concern about the security [at the Barataria Recreation Ground] by one of the clubs,” said Skeene, “so I will look at it on a case by case basis. But I will push [for community grounds] as much as possible.
“Some clubs are willing to do it and others don’t and prefer to play in the stadiums.”
Morvant Caledonia definitely fall into the latter category and Shabazz insisted that local teams would not need financial aid if the government keeps its promise to deliver community grounds.
Skeene said the Pro League will survive.
“[The financial climate] has now forced all of us to relook at the model and work towards playing in the communities, even if it means playing in less than ideal conditions” said the Pro League CEO. “I am looking at community development programmes and we also want to work more with [influential] people inside communities.
(Courtesy Nicholas Bhajan/Wired868)
“In challenging times, it pushes you to focus and [to] do what is needed to operate in the way you have to to be sustainable in the long term; and not just focus on playing games and relying on the subvention.”
The local professional game started in 1999 as the Professional Football League (PFL) but was left for dead, three years later, when then FIFA vice-president and TTFF special advisor Jack Warner withdrew financial support for the competition.
Within three months of the PFL’s collapse in 2002, eight clubs started the Pro League which now has 14 years under its belt.
“For two years, we played without prize money just to ensure that the concept of professional football continued,” said Shabazz. “And the teams like Jabloteh, W Connection, Caledonia and Defence Force are the survivors of [the group that made] that decision.
“I think the Pro League’s survival is a tremendous achievement and those who want to see a return to amateur football, in my view, are taking the easy way out.”
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team head coach Stephen Hart said in a previous interview that it would be disastrous for the Soca Warriors if the Pro League folds. Shabazz and Skeene agreed.
“The Pro League provides coaches, administrators and players with the opportunity to focus full time and affords them more time to develop their skills,” said Shabazz. “It is going to be very difficult for coach Stephen Hart to depend on players who are doing a regular job and have to get time off from their employers. We cannot go back to that way when all we need is a little more ambition, more critical thinking and execution of a pathway forward.
“Caledonia is by no means among the haves; but we refuse to just roll over and play dead.”
Skeene suggested that the Pro League may hold a symposium to hear ideas on the way forward from interested parties outside of the football family.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
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Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.
Lol. Good one Stefano. And I agree that club owners should take some risk and put their own losses on the line. But the State helps the private sector all the time. Either to establish a new industry (grants in IT), or to help an industry that is considered too valuable to fail for different reasons (like entertainment or agriculture).
The State swooped in to help CLICO, for instance, without seizing Duprey’s properties so he could pay for his mess himself.
I think an arrangement can be made that is acceptable to most. I don’t see why the professional sporting industry should not get some help to get going.
The State and the country will benefit if it works. Remember the Gov’t gives all sort of incentives to people like Arcellor Mittal who become billionaires. Why not help Steve David or Jamaal Shabazz in some sort of sustainable way?
..To “get going”? The TTPL have collectively received hundreds of millions over the years and have nothing to show for it. Why should the State continue to fund this while cutting subsidies for State enterprises, among other cutbacks..
Hahaha….. Perfectly put
Lasana Liburd everybody are right in some point of this discussion my point is that government should support always amateur sports,when you decide to acquire a club to improve your image or to climb the ladder of success or to try to make money you do it at your own risk ..somebody use to say (in a nice way) it is easy to be gay with somebody else ass
Lol
Lol
I trying my best to remain politically correct here
The names you called all benefitted from the patronage of the people to build their empires. And with the help of the political directorate they worked hard but it was consumers and political favours to. Therfore how do you balance it? By those who have partnering now with the constituents who gave the power to the politicians who helped open doors for them
North east stars still waiting to get pay
Hmmm. How many months?
You are right Jamaal, there must be considerable change in the existing system and structure to attract corporates for the common good. That would mean a radical change of principles at the PFL
Agreed but Sabga, Moutette, Aboude, Hadeed, Bagwansingh, Sammy, Loc Jack, movietown guy, none invest in football. Why?
they did for 2006 wold cup,,,they know that proleague has not appeal for consumers an investment with no return
Carib, KFC and several others did contribute for 2006, correct, what we are all missing is corporates are attracted to success, what’s happened since 2006?
And what changes/successes have the PFL had? Still poor attendance, no home grounds, inconsistent fixtures, poor advertising or little community work?
Check the Super League, playing on community grounds? That has been a big step forward!
However if two get it right and set an example then there is a model to follow
PFLand the clubs are only seeking favors from state companies
And then they want sport played in their million dollar facilities too. Right Nicholas? Two hands must clap.
I agree that it cannot be a blank cheque and it ought not to be forever. But I don’t see why something cannot be worked out between all the stakeholders including the Govt. To at least see if it can be viable.
In some cases Terry that lack of trust is valid but in most cases its an excuse.
And like I always like to add… we spend billions building sport facilities. In tough times, the Ministry of Sport cuts sport assistance, but do you know we have been renting the SPORTT Co. building & Min. of Sport Building for millions!!!! The irony!
The Gov’t does support Carnival though Stefano. Pays prize money for Soca Monarch and Calypso and stipends for steel pan and so on.
I don’t think the Gov’t should help a private enterprise indefinitely. But if we are looking at is as helping develop a new industry then that might be different. And if the Gov’t is getting something back.
For instance, there are State grants available for people starting several different businesses.
You make good valid points Stefano. But remember we always speak about diversifying and that does require some State assistance.
This thing could work but the Govt have to play their part, private sector and offcourse the football leadership must adapt and adjust approaches
Trust, there is no trust in any sports organization’s administration. Management and administration fail our game. The stigma of the past and uncertainty of the future scare potential sponsors.
How many corporate sponsors contribute to PFL clubs?
Its deep and hypocritical that we wait for an upsurge in violence to preach about the youth and the youth in sports and culture. And companies making millions and refuse to hold the hands of clubs and Sporting Bodies to give back.
Govt have all the resources to bring private sector to the table and set up the industry in sports step by step.
Sports have a right to govt funding especially when it can be channeled to create an industry. I not talking no hand out
Problem is activists have been trying to get things done with people who have been asleep. The move is to wake up the people and let them understand the value of their vote. Then all you who saying Govt should not do this and that…..watch when the people become awake
I agree that the football leadership should call stakeholders together towards a collective plan. However you guys and gals could let the politicians off the hook not me.
50 plus years of blind loyalty to a political party even when that party was in their darkest days has a price to be paid to Eric Williams children
Interesting discussion with several great points of view!
anybody ever see a financial statement of a pro league club?
Good points Jamaal…esp if gov’t supports HR by a significant sum and I believe in fighting for equity. But Stefano is correct. From a business point gov’t can’t support Pro League while they work by trial & error. Football needs a national plan… its all turf bet. leagues and clubs. We are a small market and I can bet TTFA, Super League, Pro League has no fixed plan for the next 5 -10 years, with the steps needed to get there.
Yea and the crap I have seen state funding go towards. Govt helping to make football an industry especially to the children whose parents backs they rode on to achieve political power
that’s my opinion…your is different no problem
ok than,they should support carib brewery to..they providing more employment than pro league and for sure they have more followers
Its not private only because all the teams play a social role by providing employment. Govt can support the horse racing industry and not support football. Again our reality is not your reality
i never say that,government should continued to suppot sports and football, i’m not agree to support pro league,thats a private business
Check my history I have a way of getting politicians to listen. I coming home soon God willing
Fair enough but getting Govt to give up the community fields for us to develop and create mini stadia could change the no crowds issue.
Jamaal Shabazz you can get knowledge and experience in amateur contest also,a good example is Italian serie d a semi pro league with a lot of supporters and followers,we have to be realistic no sponsor if is not for friendship reason will invest money in a league with few followers in trinidad priority are fete and party,sponsors going there
I dont think we would get knowledge in throwing in the towel. I think we would gain knowledge in all those areas pointed out by seeking it, sourcing the intellect and in some cases by trial and error.
And those who feel is just Govt money runs pro league teams should talk to club owners.
Stefano respect to you for being an advocate of the group who say we can’t we should not lets go back. Going forward have obstacles challenges and demands of us deep thought analysis and action.
There are still a group of us prepared to find a pathway forward
Chandani Boodoo be very careful about ur statements! Alleged should be used before all ur statements and u are correct about d monitoring but it was more for his relationship with his cousins
Thanks Gordon. Very responsible statement.
I posted that by mistake it was meant for a PM, don’t know how it got there thats why I deleted it
Check the vast majority of corporate decision makers, they have no connection with Football, some have had their fingers burnt in the past
What are they playing pull shirt?
I will say again professional football in Trinidad is utopia there is not sponsorship except sponsor friendship,there is not supporters,there is lack of knowledge in every aspect of the football businness ,technical, financial, medical,managerial etc etc better go back amateur. . The best talent came up in that time anyway
But won’t we lose more footballers that way? And players will then become part-timers which can’t be better or just as good…
I don’t think you will lose player maybe they will be more motivated and mature
And a current a average salary cannot sustained a player family anyway in this days
I agree with the last part at least.
Lasana take away the athletic component..strength,endurance ,speed can you say that you have seen players improve in their technical and tactical abilities? It’s very easy to mistAke an increase in size and strength for an increase in ability.
Trevor, I think the players have improved in tactical discipline but not technical or tactical abilities.
In other words, they are better at taking instructions. But I won’t say they are better otherwise.
Kinda job discipline ?
Teams before broke shape as soon as somebody scored a goal. Players ad libbed more. I find teams today to more disciplined when it comes to holding shape and so on.
No no wrd on that yet. Hopefully soon.
Lasana Liburd that would remove the pressure from Central, but how would it affect the financial stability of the League? The League receives subvention from Ministry of Sport.
I’m not talking about the Pro League using its own funds. Just using from Central’s prize money to ensure the players and staff are paid.
Stay on top of it. If there is any chance that you all won’t be paid, you would need to approach the Pro League directly with your claim for payment.
If they accept it, the Pro League would withhold prize money meant for Central to settle their debts.
Lasana Liburd maybe other clubs would do that, but we can’t expect players to wait for months for salaries. At this point, no players salaries are unpaid. However, bonuses will be paid once outstanding prize money is received.
Well, prize money was received already? N’est pas? And that was a month and a half ago. Why weren’t any bonuses paid from that?
Lasana Liburd some prize money was received, yes. That would have assisted with the $200,000 shortfall in subvention and competing in the CFU as well as helping to plug the hole left by Bankers.
Since part of that prize money was already promised to players and staff, Central quite obviously “filled gaps” with money that didn’t belong to management.
That is always a risky business strategy. But I hope you pull it off and still satisfy your debts.
Fortunately we’ve managed to honor contracts so far without using money that didn’t belong to management. Back to the topic: long term planning needs to take place and the discussion must include government and TTFA (as well as Super League and schools)
I will look into it, Nobody has told me anything
Sheldon, allyuh get called in for bonuses yet?
NO
Thanks Sheldon. Stay on top of that then.
I will, now that I hear you can go directly to the League, since the club has failed to contact me about anything.
Maybe Sancho and his lackey Harrison could dip into their pockets and pay the players. Hahahahaha fat chance of that huh.
Lol. All they have to do is use the prize money to pay their debts at least.
Chandani Boodoo, you seem to be some kind of financial whizz so how do you figure over 20 players and 8 staff have been getting paid with only TT$50,000 subvention? How do you think players at North East, Jabloteh, Connection, Caledonia, Sando, Point and Rangers get paid?
Answer the list above. Use the prize money. Or some if the kickbacks from agents etc. I noticed you did not object to lackey. Instructive at least
Chandani Boodoo if you believe that intelligent discussion is helped by insulting people, expect your views to be ignored.
Insults? Labels. Accurate ones at that.
Or new leadership for Pro League
How do you get new leadership though? If the club owners are the decision makers for the league and the CEO is just there to implement their wishes and advise them?
Hire a business development manager or make decision to go outside clubs
This is taking us back to the argument about gov’t subventions..hhmm
Football is d bastard chile now. Waiting to see all who gonna fight me for a seat in d stadium come Sept against Guatemala. And then I’ll be unable to get a seat in covered if we make the final stage.
What is the pro league doing to help clubs financially though?
The Pro League board comprises of the member clubs. Not sure how you mean.
I mean the pro league got a 900k rights deal with Flow for the youth league. Who did that and is that person working on something similar for the pro league and will the money from a rights deal filter down to the clubs somehow?
I mean if you want NE stars to play point fortin, there is some distance between them and transportation has to be paid for. Is the pro league for example talking to the PTSC to get either free or subsidised buses for teams to get to and from these games.
I mean the article said that the champions league increased its allowance to teams for away games. Does the pro league have an allowance for away games? Is it planning to raise the allowance if one does exist, in light of the reduced government subvention in the face of maintained operational costs?
I mean how is the pro league helping clubs financially to facilitate their participation in the pro league?
The Pro League is the clubs. It isn’t like how the TTFA president does his own thing supposedly on behalf of the people who elected him.
So they decide how money is spent. At present, most of the money that they raise are shared through prize money with the Govt subvention being the one thing that is supposedly shared equally.
I’m not sure that Club Sando got for the first half of last season though.
Skeene’s job is to implement the wishes of the board as well as advise them. So that’s the relationship there.
I’d want to think that the Pro League will get a tv deal for next season. Even if they get $3 million, that’s just under $300,000 per club or just over three months salary at best.
It would help a lot but won’t solve their problems on its own.
They have to put their backs into it to get through next season.
Concacaf has a tv deal, FIFA funding and sponsors. That US$40,000 fee for away games in Concacaf is almost an insult. So glad it went up.
Teams in Caribbean competition got zero prize money. Only recently they started paying them about US$8,000 for an away game or something. That’s poor.
My question more was what is the pro league doing to raise money or to help clubs offset costs. Prize money isn’t the same as pure sponsorship. So does the pro league have a single sponsor for food for example so that after each match, players get whatever food. Same for drink, transport, uniforms etc etc.
Just seems like it would be easier to get collective sponsorship deals for some things rather than clubs going it alone. So that’s what I mean by what is the pro league doing.
Chabeth, I get you. I know there is a Blue Waters deal. Not sure if there are others.
Jamaal, do you know?
Part of the issue with the pro league is there is no sense of a real strategy for self sustainment. Even when deals are announced like the youth deal with flow, the clubs get minimal value. During the season, there is minimal marketing of the league and the website which can be of service there is minimalist to say the least. They really should have brought in a business development professional years ago to help but we shall see if they do anything other than the “symposium” suggested in this article.
As far as i can see from a NF Perspective: Not much Pro in a league that can’t survive without government handouts. In Triathlon we constantly trying to improve our market value by using (free) publicity tools. As a result, with zero pros at this time we yet covering already about 30% of our annual expenses via Sponsors with a growing tendency. There were some setbacks outside our control that had us not achieve our goal of being self supporting (through sponsorship) by now…. we are about 2-3years behind right now….
I agree the League gets what it wants but is the request based on sound business analysis. That is my point.
The league is an organisation and each of the clubs are an organization. The clubs themselves have done little to connect to fans and create a long term following and generate income.
Dwayne, hence why after a few years, the model has to change for self sustainability.
Sorry, Dayne
If the leadership of the clubs and the leadership of the pro league are essentially one and the same, then what obtains at the league level will be no better than what obtains at the club level.
What most people don’t understand is this is the clubs’ private league. That’s OK if you have a vision for creating a sustainable business. But they are mainly interested in operational items such as venues or matches and season schedules. This is why they have done next to nil to build their own fanbase.
Changing the structure is not just easier said than done but is only possible if the clubs agree.
The administration has within its resources done a lot to promote the competitions and build a brand. I would posit that after the Socawarriors, West Indies and the National Cricket Team the league
it is the biggest local Sports brand.That is no small part due to the work of the administration.
Andreas, the cost of the Pro League would surely be much much higher. Just for starters, you’re talking about renting between two to four grounds a week and funds for officials and administrators. And that’s before you get to salaries.
Brian Jordan, the clubs get whatever they want from the deals. So I don’t think anyone is holding anything from them. And marketing and web administration all come with costs too.
So those things are not easily remedied as they may seem. Although I do think the Pro League can use the social media more. Meaning ALL 10 clubs as well as the governing body. A few clubs do try to varying degrees of course. And the Pro League does have a Facebook and Twitter presence.
Why you like to send people to bed vex so ? Lol
Lol. Serious times man. Serious times…
SIghz
You just couldn’t let us reflect on the joys of football after a good Argentina game eh