Thabang Moroe. Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images.
In the biggest indication yet that Cricket South Africa (CSA) might very well organise some form of the failed T20 Global League, the governing body on Friday announced that it had reached an agreement with SuperSport to become equity partners in a new, “world-class” T20 competition.
The two parties have formed a new company, unimaginatively named “Newco”, and will both contribute capital towards the corprorate entity and the yet-to-be-named tournament.
It is understood, however, that this new business model comes at the expense of the T20 Global League framework, whereby the eight franchises had private ownership.
CSA had come under fire in that regard anyway because only one of those eight city-based teams eventually ended up with local owners.
Acting chief executive Thabang Moroe said in a statement that the deal is “the biggest in the history of South African domestic cricket, which will ensure the welfare of the game in South Africa.”
The window for the tournament is November and Decemeber this year.
CSA embarrassingly had to call off their plans last year for the Global T20 League as they failed to negotiate a broadcasting partner.
The federation suffered massive losses to the tune of R180 million as they had to settle players contracts that had been in place and also had to repay the deposits paid by prospective franchise owners.
It is also understood that CSA still might have a fight on their hands with the private investors, who are demanding compensation for the expenses they incurred before the tournament flopped.
These payments have apparently been capped at 50%.
No details on the structure of the tournament and how many teams will be involved have been given.