T20 action on free-to-air as CSA work a deal with SuperSport

AT LEAST some portion of the T20 Global League will be shown on freeto-air television as part of the broadcast deal that Cricket South Africa and SuperSport hope to finalise this week.

While not a major sticking point, it was a matter that needed resolution as both CSA and SuperSport recognise the importance of showing matches in the new competition to as much of the South African public as possible.

CSA’s acting chief executive Thabang Moroe said the details of what would be shown on free-to-air channels were still being finalised.

“I can’t say yet whether it will be just highlights or if there’ll be a couple of live matches,” Moroe said.

“We haven’t even needed to make SuperSport aware of the importance of the tournament being on free-to-air TV, they understood that already.”

The exact size of the financial package is also still being discussed, but it was clear from Moroe’s tone that there is a great deal of relief from CSA’s perspective that the tournament will be broadcast.

“It’s been very challenging, we basically had to start negotiations afresh,” he said.

Moroe was parachuted in as interim chief executive last week after CSA parted ways with Haroon Lorgat after five years. “I’ve also been in talks with our other key stakeholders to jump on board, while providing the franchise owners with reassurances we are still intent on providing delivery of the competition.”

Moroe, who is also CSA’s vice-president, said he will most likely remain as acting CEO for the next four months, with the successful delivery of the T20GL his major priority.

He said the atmosphere within CSA’s offices has been very positive since Lorgat’s departure, and he has held meetings with staff to provide clarity about why the organisation’s board of directors felt the need to take the direction it did, without Lorgat.

“It’s business as usual with the staff. They understand why we are where we are,” Moroe remarked.

Lorgat is understood to have angered some of the organisation’s senior administrators over his unilateral handling of business deals with regards to the T20GL. The fact that just over a month before the start of the competition, no broadcast deal had been finalised – despite numerous assurances from Lorgat about a lucrative deal – further upset some in the federation.

“The board is still negotiating with Haroon Lorgat over his (exit) package, so we can only start the process to look for a new full time CEO once those negotiations have been completed,” said Moroe.

Perhaps as an indication of the new more inclusive approach, Moroe has had Clive Eksteen, CSA’s marketing and commercial manager and the organisation’s chief financial officer, Nassei Appiah by his side in talks with SuperSport.

He’s also engaged with cricket manager Corrie van Zyl and SA Cricketers’ Association chief executive Tony Irish about the merits of four-day Tests.