By Ainsley Walters, Staff Reporter 
Jamaica Football Federation president Horace Burrell (right) presents Ludlow Bernard of Harbour View football club with footballs, a national flag and copies of the Jamaican and FIFA anthems at yesterday press launch of the Wray and Nephew Premier League at the Hilton Hotel. - Michael Sloley /Freelance Photographer
NATIONAL PREMIER League teams will be playing for top dollars this season.
At the official press launch yesterday new sponsors Wray and Nephew Limited announced that they will be splashing out a $1m first prize for the league which kicks off on Sunday, September 8.
Announcing what was said to be a $17m first-year sponsorship of its $100m five-year pledge, Wray and Nephew also joined with broadcast rights holders RJR Communications Group to guarantee the 12 participating clubs $570,000 each before the first ball is kicked.
From Wray and Nephew, teams will rake in $220,000 each as logo incentive and $150,000 apiece for travelling. RJR forked out $5m for exclusive broadcast rights from which teams will pocket $200,000 each.
Another major cash incentive announced was a $500,000 pay-out for the team which tops the three preliminary rounds on points. In addition, the first seven teams will earn prize money. Runners-up will take home $600,000, third $400,000, fourth $300,000, fifth $170,000, sixth $125,000 and seventh $100,000.
"Back in May we swiftly collaborated with the Jamaica Football Federation to become headline sponsor and we will explore all avenues to raise the game," Wray and Nephew marketing manager Carl Stephenson told the gathering at the Hilton Hotel.
A dozen teams led by champions Arnett Gardens will hunt local football's biggest ever prize, topped up with other sectional cash incentives such as $20,000 for the top junior player, $70,000 each for the best defensive and scoring teams, $25,000 for the leading goalscorer.
The league's Most Valuable Player picks up $50,000, top goalkeeper and winning coach $20,000 each and Coach of the Year $50,000.
The Fair Play award is worth $50,000
Team representatives were presented with 40 footballs each at yesterday's press conference as well as national flags to be used at grounds along with copies of the Jamaican and FIFA anthems.
"This is another bright day for football and its development in Jamaica," said JFF president Horace Burrell. "I really want to commend Wray and Nephew for coming on board as the main sponsor. That's putting your money where your mouth is."
Burrell said the spin-off of a good Premier League will reflect in selection for the national team and challenged players to play their best game and display a high level of discipline.
Participating teams are champions Arnett Gardens, Hazard United, Harbour View, Tivoli Gardens, Waterhouse, Village, Constant Spring, Wadadah, 'A' league promotees Rivoli and Bull Bay along with Reno and Seba, who advanced from last season's playoffs.
Teams play each other once in the first two rounds with bonus finals at the end of each. Opening games pit Arnett against Rivoli, Waterhouse-Wadadah, Hazard-Bull Bay, Tivoli-Constant Spring, Village-Reno and Seba-Harbour View.
For Round Three, at the end of which the top team will be awarded the Wray and Nephew League trophy and $500,000, zones will be allocated for a home and away format.
The third round's Zone A will comprise first, fourth, sixth, seventh, ninth and 12th-placed finishers on total points, bonus included, after Round Two. Zone B fields the second, third, fifth, eighth, 10th and 11th place finishers.
