With the Thai Football League due to start its 2023/2024 season in just 7 weeks time there are many unknowns; and indeed some uncertainty as to whether the League itself will kick off on time.
The probable scenario is another year of muddling through.
But:
The head of the Thai FA announced his resignation today – told to resign by the Deputy PM, Prawit Wongsuwan. Then a potential next prime minister, Srettha Thavisin, of the Pheu Thai Party, has suggested who the next FA President should be proposing two candidates: a billionaire and a former finance minister. Fine qualifications.
Meanwhile – bidding for TV rights for the full season is laughable: only one company has submitted its bid to acquire the comprehensive broadcasting rights for Thai football (Leagues 1, 2 and 3 and the domestic cups, for 50 million baht.
In view of the low bid for the broadcast rights, a proposal has been put forward for the 16 teams in the Thai League to form a new company, call it what it is, a breakaway League, that will take care of their interests, similar to the model adopted by the English Premier League.
How quickly could this start. What would be the impact on T2 and T3.
11 out of the 16 Thai League clubs are reported to be in agreement with this approach, while five clubs are yet to make a decision. The Thai League Co Ltd and the FAT will present this matter for further discussion at the upcoming board meeting scheduled for July 3.
The broadcasting rights for the Thai League have seen spectacular highs and lows over the years. From 2011 to 2013, the rights were acquired for 600 million baht for a three-year span, averaging 200 million baht per year. From 2014 to 2016, the rights were secured for 1.8 billion baht, averaging 600 million baht annually. At the peak, from 2017 to 2020, the rights were obtained for 4.2 billion baht, averaging 1.050 billion baht per year for a four-year duration. In the year 2021-22, the rights were purchased at a lower price of 800 million baht, but in 2022-23, the bid fell sharply to 300 million baht.
Has M150 withdrawn its sponsorship of T2? The new T2 branding has no sponsors logo. Neither M150 nor the appalling Bitkub are visible. Without M150 what are clubs left playing for in the new season?
The League has not yet issued fixtures – and has still to confirm that NakhonSi City has pulled out of T2.
Things are changing in Thai football.