TV coverage of the inaugural Hong Kong Premier League "is in doubt" with clubs being asked by broadcaster Now TV to pay a fee of HK$6M ($774,000), according to Chan Kin-wa of the SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST. The price was quoted by PCCW that runs Now TV, "which has been the official broadcaster for the First Division for the past three seasons." South China convenor Wallace Cheung Kwong-yung said, "We were told this figure at the meeting, but this is just unacceptable." Each of the nine clubs will have to pay about HK$700,000 ($90,000) "if they are to share the expenses." Cheung said that "they understood the importance of television coverage to the survival of the new top-tier competition, but hoped the HFKA could help." Cheung: "We understand there will be very little amount in prize money for the clubs next season and in that case, the association must try to help us minimize our costs. If they want support from us, they have to attend to our needs first." HKFA CEO Mark Sutcliffe agreed that "the amount quoted by Now TV would be too hard for the clubs to afford." Sutcliffe said, "We are still talking to other people as no one can afford it. We hope there will be a revised quote from PCCW or a better deal from other televisions stations" (SCMP, 7/15).
