THE FA of Malaysia (FAM) is back in business. After years of running on a shoestring budget, the association now stands to get RM30 million annually over the next four years from broadcasting rights.

FAM has awarded the M-League broadcasting rights to Astro for 2011-2014 for RM120 million.

FAM is guaranteed RM30 million yearly but the sum could increase as Astro has also agreed on a profit sharing plan from broadcasting and advertising revenues.

Astro will also act as a marketing arm and media partner for FAM.

It will spend another RM100 million over four years on ground and promotional activities and programmes.

On the top of that, companies who want to become title sponsor of the MSL will have to negotiate with Astro.

This means FAM's coffers will increase sizeably after the title sponsor is announced in less than two weeks.

Cigarette company, Dunhill, was the title sponsor for more than a decade, giving RM33 million yearly before it was replaced by Telekom Malaysia (TM) in 2002, which only offered RM8 million annually.

FAM deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said the new deal will give a major lift to the local league.

"It is the first step towards the commercialisation of the M- League. We picked Astro as they offered an attractive package and above all, they have the means and experience to take our football to another level," Tengku Abdullah said at an executive committee meeting at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya yesterday.

"Astro will have the broadcasting rights for the Super, Premier and FAM leagues, national youth tournaments and the President Cup and is the media partner for the national team, development and women's football.

"FAM will hold the rights for the rest including new tournaments."

However, the door is not closed on other local and foreign channels and Internet television to broadcast local league matches.

Those concerned will have to negotiate with Astro on a deal to get the televise rights.

Tengku Abdullah said a joint committee comprising rep resentatives of FAM and Astro will be formed to plan out the sponsorship allocation.

He said other TV stations will have to negotiate with Astro if they want to broadcast these matches.

"I am sure a deal would be reached as Astro will not be able to cover all venues on match day."

FAM received two bids for the broadcasting rights with the other from TM, which offered an undisclosed lower sum.