PROFESSIONAL Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL), the organisation that manages the Jamaica Premier League, is in final discussions with Wyscout — a professional football platform specialising in scouting, match analysis, and the dynamics of player transfers — to begin operating in the league. The initiative is a pivotal move in developing player sales as a key revenue stream for clubs in the Jamaica Premier League.

The PFJL prioritises high-quality broadcasting of games, not only for league promotion and marketing but also to ensure that video recordings meet the necessary standards for scouting platforms like Wyscout. These platforms utilise advanced technologies to analyse players’ performances in detail.

Wyscout’s library of information facilitates player monitoring and remote scouting, providing performance and in-depth reports all linked to video. By accessing Wyscout, scouts and agents can get a complete analysis on matches and players, with detailed stats and metrics, enabling them to make informed decisions about players acquisitions and identify talents that suit their club’s needs.

The Jamaica Premier League has been making video recordings of many league games. However, scouts often do not have the time to go through full game footage so the focus is shifting to utilising platforms like Wyscout for analysis.

“We have identified the sponsorship [for Wyscout],” revealed PFJL Chairman Christopher Williams. “So we are in the final stages now of negotiating the terms but it will definitely be in place for next season. And, we’re looking to have it in place for all elite leagues so under-13, under-15, under-17 will all be bibbed and the data fed to Wyscout.”

The timeline for the development of the youth leagues is set to begin February of 2024.

Williams explained that youth programmes are essential to player development. FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) does not allow players to be sold below a certain age threshold, which suits the PFJL who wants to encourage a patient approach of keeping players at their clubs for a longer period so as to maximise their potential value. The objective is to develop local superstars in football who stay in the country and achieve success before eventually being transferred, thereby attracting potentially bigger fees.

Elite leagues for under-13, under-15, and under-17 will be enhanced by international travel and camps for the most valuable players (MVPs).

The Wyscout platform is expected to accelerate the development of player sales as a revenue stream, which since the inception of the PFJL has seen some clubs benefitting more from transfer revenues more than others.

“It’s not all clubs, but for the clubs that have been diligently executing on player sales, I would say it is at least 60 per cent of their revenue,” Williams estimated.

The chairman also disclosed that five players have been sold this year to clubs in various parts of the world. He noted that since 2020 some players have gone to countries such as Vietnam and Iceland, where they can make a good living compared to what they were earning previously.

Local clubs now have sell-on clauses in their transfer contracts, which entitle them to a percentage of future transfer fees when their former players are sold to other clubs.

“It’s evolving nicely,” Williams said. “It’s definitely a lucrative industry. As you know, one player can retire a whole organisation. It keeps the clubs going.”

He noted, however, that even with the advent of Wyscout some clubs will still have advantages in player development over others in the league. Just like in any business, companies with greater resources can do more.

Recruitment processes may therefore vary among clubs, with some focusing on their own communities while others have resources to look beyond their immediate area. Clubs with greater resources can also offer benefits which attract quality players with greater potential for development.

Williams added that while the whole league will benefit from the Wyscout platform being arranged by the PFJL, the responsibility of getting information to scouts lies with the individual clubs. Agents also play a significant role in representing players and liaising with overseas clubs.

Coaching will be a key ingredient in the Jamaica Premier League’s player development strategy, and the organisation is working with Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) to access coaching courses.

“We have a coaching course that starts, I believe it’s August, that will now allow all of our coaches to at least be licensed,” Williams revealed. “We’re continuously stepping up the requirement, and by stepping up the requirement on the coaches it translates into the player development that’s taking place. We’re doing that with the technical coaches, we’re doing that with the nutritionists, we’re doing that with the fitness coaches, et cetera — so that is critical.”

The chairman commented that “the excitement of football is the big leagues [overseas], and the big leagues command big transfer fees and big salaries”.

The Jamaica Premier League’s player development strategy aims to provide more local footballers with a path overseas and a shot at the big leagues, while strengthening player sales as a key revenue stream for developing local football and ensuring its long-term viability.