New format for RSPL

Sport

By Howard Walker Observer senior reporter walkerh@jamaicaobserver.com .pSunday, August 25, 2013

After six years of league format, the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) has been reverted to a cup style grand finale on the final day of competition, and sponsor Red Stripe is very excited about the upcoming season.Erin Mitchell, Red Stripe’s brand manager, told the Jamaica Observer that the move is in keeping with the changing times and an effort to be more dynamic.“There is a format change which Red Stripe is very excited about,” said Mitchell.“It’s a matter of being dynamic and changing and making sure that we are giving the consumers what they want,” she noted.Red Stripe is in the third and final year of a three-year deal, said to be worth more than $150 million, with the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA), and this season is set to kick off on September 1.Meanwhile, having established a television show with interactive social media over the last two years, the popular Monday Night live football will be delayed until January.“We will be revamping the half-time show and we will be back on TV in January and we want to make sure we stay fresh,” revealed Mitchell.A special effort will be made by the sponsor to create better atmosphere at matches and increase the beer consumption following a reported 13 per cent increase since taking over the premier league.The league format with 38 games, introduced for the 2007/08 season, has been discarded and will see the 12 teams playing three rounds of 33 matches. Thereafter, the top eight teams will then advance to the quarter-final stage in a home and away series, with the number one ranked team facing the number eighth-ranked team; the number two vs number seven; number three vs number six; and number four vs number five.The four winners advance to the semi-finals, on a home and away basis, with the two winners from that stage qualifying for the final.The two teams at the bottom on the table at the end of the third round will be relegated.

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New format for RSPL