Cape Town - The SABC's broadcast deal with Cricket South Africa (CSA) for the upcoming SA T20 League will not place any further commercial strain on the public broadcaster.
That is the view of SABC's COO, Charles Maroleng.
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Maroleng and CSA CEO Thabang Moroe addressed media in Johannesburg on Wednesday after the partnership between the parties was announced on Tuesday.
And, it isn't even clear whether or not the SABC paid any money at all for the deal.
"This is a commercially viable partnership between CSA and the SABC. It does not put any extra commercial risk on the SABC. It has not been done in an irresponsible way," Maroleng said.
CSA had initially announced an equity deal with SuperSport for the tournament before the MultiChoice-owned company bailed out of that deal.
CSA announced that the SABC deal would seek to screen matches at 19:00 on SABC 3once the tournament got underway on November 9, while SABC 2 would also be opened as a possible viewing channel.
CSA is expected to announce the six host cities in the next couple of days.
This is a commercially viable partnership between CSA and the SABC. It does not put any extra commercial risk on the SABC. It has not been done in an irresponsible way - Maroleng SABC COO
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) September 26, 2018
CSA owns all the teams. In the next couple of days we will announce the 6 host venues. The Franchises will announce their own coaches who will then appoint their own support staff - @TGmoroe #SAT20League
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) September 26, 2018
Locally this is an opportunity our players have been looking for. Many players stand to make an additional income if they don't play for the Proteas or abroad - @TGmoroe CSA CE #SAT20League
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) September 26, 2018
We have made provision for matches to be on SABC 3 and SABC 2 if there are clashes. We will have a start time of 19h00 and will move forward some of the Prime Time shows not to upset viewers - Maroleng SABC COO
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) September 26, 2018
For the first time in the history of Cricket South Africa and SABC, The SABC will be the exclusive broadcaster of The New SA T20 League. - Thabang Moroe pic.twitter.com/HyjutZApQ2
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) September 26, 2018