Kelantan Red Warrior FC, club in Liga A1 Semi-Pro has thrown its support behind a bold commercial proposal led by Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, backing the introduction of a pay-per-view (PPV) broadcast model as a potential game-changer for the financial sustainability of Malaysian football.
The proposal, presented during a recent Malaysian Football League (MFL) CEO roundtable, is part of a broader strategy to address ongoing financial challenges faced by clubs across the Liga Malaysia.
KRWFC welcomed the initiative, describing it as both “innovative and timely,” and urged the Malaysian Football League to seriously evaluate the plan alongside key stakeholders.
Significantly, the club is not speaking from theory—but from experience. Kelantan has already implemented a PPV-style model during the Liga A1 Semi Pro 2025/26 season, generating encouraging results. According to internal data, the club recorded an average of 1,000 paid viewers per match—providing a steady stream of income that helped offset operational costs.
This early adoption places KRWFC in a unique position to validate the viability of the model at a broader league level.
During the roundtable session, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim—owner of Johor Darul Ta’zim—submitted a comprehensive five-page working paper outlining solutions to the league’s financial strain. Central to the proposal is the PPV system, designed to create a more equitable revenue distribution model across clubs.
The initiative aims to reduce dependency on traditional income streams such as sponsorships and gate receipts, while leveraging digital platforms to monetise fan engagement more effectively.
Beyond financial implications, KRWFC highlighted the model’s potential to strengthen the bond between clubs and supporters—aligning with the broader vision of “bringing football back to the people.”
By offering direct access to matches, clubs can build stronger fan ownership and engagement, particularly among supporters unable to attend games physically.
KRWFC has expressed readiness to collaborate with both TMJ and the MFL to refine and implement the proposal, viewing it as a crucial step toward long-term stability and competitiveness.
The club also sees the initiative as part of its own roadmap toward returning to the top tier, with ambitions of competing in the Liga Super Malaysia in the near future.
Credit Photo : KRWFC
