Although admitting that they are short on meeting certain targets, Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL) Chief Executive Officer Owen Hill says that the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) is more financially viable than it’s ever been in recent history.

PFJL, chaired by businessman Chris Williams, began oversight of the country’s first division since 2020 after the dissolution of the Premier League Clubs Association.

In the four years, the organisation has secured multiple multimillion-dollar sponsorships from corporate bodies including title sponsors Wray & Nephew in 2023, who agreed a three-year, $60-million contract.

Since November, regional brand Sunshine Snacks, and Caribbean Broilers signed three-year deals to sponsor the JPL. The Jamaica Observer understands that the PFJL is close to finalising more commitments for the season with other companies.

While pleased with the financial growth of the league, Hill says that more work needs to be done to be fully sustainable.

“I’d say we’re halfway there but it’s a five-year plan that continuously rolls forward. Right now, we’re in the iteration process of setting a next three-to-five-year plan. It’s a continuous improving cycle and I’ll say that we’re way better than where we started,” he told the Observer.

“Are we hitting all the targets? No, we’re not because revenue needs to grow more. We’re clear where revenue growth will come and consistently getting all the stakeholders group; owners, players, managers, referees, administrators — we’re trying to get on the same page so when we’re launching properly, we’re able to move together as one.”

Along with corporate sponsorships, there have been takeover in ownerships at a number of JPL clubs since 2023.

Businessman Yoni Epstein took charge of Montego Bay United, Phoenix Academy founder Craig Butler teamed up with Vere United, United Sports Group invested in Portmore United, and Dream Entertainment partnered with Arnett Gardens.

Hill says the ownership strategy is pivotal in further growing the club’s financial power and professionalism.

“We wanted to ensure that football becomes viable and sustainable,” he said. “For that to happen, you need investors in the sport — actual resources, funds, skill sets, that kind of thing. We were very clear that when we assessed the club ecosystem, it needed strengthening. It still needs strengthening but we wanted to make sure we had stronger investor and ownership group within the club ecosystem and we started targeting.

“So it’s looking at the 14 teams and once they’re willing — because there must be a willingness, we do the due diligence. You find that there’s a stronger cadre of investors coming in because they see that whenever they play in Concacaf, there’s a certain amount of money to be gained from exposure. Once they’re able to sell players consistently, they can add to their revenue growth and then just being part of Jamaica’s growth overall. When you have strong clubs, we have strong communities and by extension, Jamaica is better off.”

The first round (13 games) of the 2024-25 JPL season has been completed with Mount Pleasant Football Academy top of the standings.