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PFJL boss slams detractors
November 01, 2021
Christopher Williams, chairman of the Professional Jamaica Football Limited (PFJL), believes allegations circulating online that the organisation is in debt by more than $36 million and that there will be no prize money available for the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) is an attempt to taint the league and the progress they have made in the last year.
Williams pointed that it was their inaugural season as league administrators and although they had challenges he thought the positives outweighed the negatives and detractors should allow the league room to succeed.
"We were able to generate a significant sponsorship, so the attractiveness of the product is being enhanced.
"Please do not paint the Jamaica Premier League. Paint Chris Williams or anybody else you want to paint but please do not paint the Jamaica Premier League.
"The product needs to rise and perform glowingly for the stars of Manning Cup who do not have a transitional league.
"So I will sacrifice myself for the league to shine. So I am begging the detractors curse Chris Williams for anything but do not paint the Jamaican Premier League," he lamented.
Meanwhile, the PFJL boss said contrary to reports, prize monies will be presented to the clubs, while the $29 million owed to his company (PROVEN), will not be a burden on the clubs.
"We will be paying a prize money. The presentation ceremony will take place in November.
"The confusion is that we presented a targeted prize money and we had to adjust from that. We had to reduce it because we ran a loss of $8 million for the 2020-21 season," he said.
"The primary fall in revenue was because a major sponsor did not honour its commitment. In excess of $50 million (was committed). But they did not honour the contract. That caused the major revenue fall," he said.
Williams said his company provided the $29 million to ensure there was cash flow to assist with expenditures.
However, that repayment will not burden the clubs, as PROVEN will be reimbursed from outstanding sponsorship funds.
"A sponsor will sign for $X million, but they do not pay it all up front. We ended the league with $53 million owed by all sponsors combined.
"PROVEN provided a cash flow bridge to ensure the league could continue. When the sponsorship money comes in we will repay that. We are on track to be repaid in November."
Although they experienced some challenges, Williams is confident they will eventually get it right.
"Myself and all the directors have been working to make the league a financial success. We may not have gotten the financials right on this first year but we are learning.
"We will get the financials right. So we are moving forward and the dollars and cents will fall into place. No question," he added
