THE League Management Company (LMC) has released about N208 million to the 20 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clubs for the current league season.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the amount represents what was due to the clubs as sponsorship earning for the season.

Mr Bamidele Aluko, the Chairman of Kwara United FC of Ilorin, told NAN that the LMC had released N10.4 million to each of the 20 premier league clubs in the country.

Aluko said the money was released to them before Monday's N25 million cheque presentation to the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) in Abuja by the LMC.

"There was an agreement that whatever the LMC makes from Globacom, they will give NFA five per cent.

"They have given the clubs their own N10.4 million each, so it is the turn of the NFA to take its  own on Monday, and we can't say no to it,'' Aluko said.

He said the LMC appeared to be living up to the clubs' expectation, but added that they (clubs) would not hesitate to act accordingly if they (LMC) go contrary to any of their agreement.

"By principle if the LMC agrees to work the way we want them to, we will have no other choice than to support them.

"From what we can see, they have the ability to get more money for the league and if what they do is what we have in mind it means there won't be problem.

"The Chairman of the LMC Nduka Irabor said that they are the messengers of club owners and that they are not working alone.

"He also said that they are working in line with the yearnings and aspirations of NPFL clubs.

"That is the agreement we have and in as much as they are doing that, there won't be problem among us but if they do things without our consent, then, there will be disagreement.

"I want the LMC to remain the messenger of the club just as the LMC chairman has said.

NAN recalls that communication giant Globacom had in March sealed the sponsorship rights of NPFL, after confirming a N550 million deal with the LMC for the 2012/2013 league season.

The deal was completed after Globacom paid N100 million to Total Promotions Limited as compensation for agreeing to an out-of-court settlement in the title sponsorship disagreement.