Global T20 League headed for toned down start after broadcaster hurdle
While South Africa continue to hit one low after the other in limited overs cricket, its much-talked-about Global T20 League is likely to see a massive meltdown even if it is able to take off this year.
The ambitious project was planned to rival the Indian Premier League with private owners from India, Pakistan and UAE buying franchises. However, it hit a roadblock late last year with no broadcaster willing to come up, leading to the departure of Chief Executive Officer Haroon Lorgat.
Now the heft is being whittled down, reducing it to a simple league. As per the new plans, the word Global is going to be removed from the name as the new dispensation wants it to be a mainly South African league. That apart, the board may not involve private owners with franchises owned by the board itself.
Speaking to Hindustan Times, the acting Chief Executive Officer, Thabang Moroe said, “One of the questions we have asked the members is whether they want to keep the name Global. And if we really want to keep it, then what does ‘Global League’ means. How would they envisage us on delivering the Global League. There is a feeling that this should be a South African league.”
There is a feeling that the league was far too ambitious especially involving foreign owners. South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) chairman, Tony Irish, who is also the executive chairman of FICA, the world players’ body, was involved in negotiations for players’ remuneration. He says, “The project was too ambitious. The financial model was wrong as the revenues couldn’t match the expenses. There is talk over whether private owners should be done away with. Without private owners, you can manage with a smaller broadcast deal.”
Having private owners requires a bigger broadcast deal as the owners have to be promised a share of revenues at some point in future since they pay license fees, incur cost on team and players.
“The license fees were way too big. You have to ensure private owners break even,” said Irish.
The league’s failure cost CSA, which is in a healthy financial state, big money. Irish negotiated for the players with the Board. All overseas players were given 50% of their contracted amount whereas the local players were given 60%. The players had to be paid because they had to forego opportunities to play elsewhere, especially in Bangladesh Premier League which coincided with it.
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