CSA to launch a new T20 league soon

Cricket South Africa’s quest to launch the T20 league of its own will finally come to fruition as they have inked the biggest domestic deal with their broadcast partner Supersport. The inaugural edition of the tournament will be played in November this year. The controversially marred T20 Global League had cost them R180 million when they decided to call off the tournament last year. But CSA has promised to deliver a ‘World-Class’ competition to the global audience his time around.

The relationship of the cricket board with Supersport has taken the dramatic turn around as both the parties were not on the same page when T20 GL took shape in 2017. The then CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat had demanded the broadcast fee that was double than what Supersport was willing to pay. Later, Lorgat was fired by the board and the competition was postponed after failing to come to an agreement on the same.

CSA to hold the major share

CSA did not confirm the percentage share that Supersport will hold in the new agreement, but they revealed that the governing body will be the major shareholder of the new company. SuperSport will broadcast the competition throughout sub-Saharan Africa and the adjacent islands, and provide a broadcast feed to international broadcasters according to SA Cricket Magazine.

“CSA is delighted to announce this equity partnership with our long-term broadcast partners, SuperSport. We have put the problems we experienced with the proposed Global T20 League behind us and look forward to hosting the new competition (which will be named later). This event will create wonderful opportunities for local players (including current Proteas and up and coming youngsters) to hone their white-ball skills,” CSA’s acting chief executive Thabang Moroe said in a statement.

Though the availability of the key South African players will be a question for the tournament at least this year. The national team is scheduled to play three ODIs and one T20 International between November 4 and 17 with the league likely to start in the second week of the month. Also, it remains to be seen if the players from other countries will add some star quality to the tournament.

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