PSL, SABC battle continues
The PSL and the SABC were still in talks by 4.30pm over 140 soccer games apportioned to free to air broadcasters in the League’s controversial R1 billion contract with Supersport International.
"We know there is a lot of anticipation regarding this matter.
"We think it is important because it is a serious matter to ensure that all the t’s are crossed and all the i’s are dotted," said SABC chief executive Dali Mpofu, addressing a media briefing with PSL boss Irvin Khoza at the Westcliff Hotel in Johannesburg.
The PSL and the SABC’s legal teams were busy "unravelling the intricacies" of the matter.
Last month, the PSL announced that Supersport had been awarded a R1 billion contract to broadcast PSL soccer matches for the next five years.
While the parties thrashed out the free to air issue, an arbitration process dealing with the dispute over the awarding of the contract hangs in the air.
SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago said a date for the arbitration had not yet been set.
The arbitration could potentially overturn the decision to allow Supersport broadcast rights to the PSL soccer games.
"If arbitration is in favour of the SABC, we go back to square one," Khoza said.
The process could take months but the soccer season commences in August.
The free to air issue under discussion was an interim measure pending the arbitration process’s findings.
"We would like to acquire the rights. The absence of the outcome of the arbitration is why we sit here," Mpofu said.
Talks between the SABC and the PSL were also taking place on radio rights.
"Separate discussions are now taking place at a separate level on radio rights…" Khoza said.
The move to award the contract to Supersport sparked a heated public debate.
It was argued that most people could not afford pay television, and would therefore be denied television coverage of one of South Africa’s most popular sports.
A musician who attended the briefing received a mouthful from Khoza when he commended the parties for sitting down and discussing the matter but also added: "Whatever the SABC loses, I lose."
Khoza said the PSL ensured that the rights of people without a decoder were "taken care of" during the tender process as he defended the league’s decision.
"Like musicians, as the PSL we have to ensure that business is protected," he said, using the example of musicians assisting police in eradicating counterfeit DVDs and CDs.
"The PSL has accommodated people without a decoder irrespective of all the rights given to Supersport."
A workshop would be held soon to decide on improving soccer in South Africa, bearing the price tag on the Supersport deal in mind.
Meanwhile, Supersport chief executive Imtiaz Patel, also taking part in the talks, said the channel’s position had not changed and he was confident about the status quo – that Supersport owned the composite package of the broadcast rights.
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