T20 franchise owners fuming

Cricket SA’s apparent attempts to defuse the growing anger of some of its T20 franchise owners have backfired.

Instead of being placated about their position‚ the owners are seemingly more intent than ever on dragging what remains of their relationship with the board through the legal system.

TimesLIVE understands that CSA chief executive Thabang Moroe‚ acting chief operating officer Naasei Appiah and independent directors Louis von Zeuner and Iqbal Khan held a meeting with the owners of six of the eight T20 Global League (T20GL) franchises in Dubai and Mumbai last week.

Sources who were present at one of the meetings described the atmosphere as fiery.

They said CSA’s representatives were speechless at the owners’ stance and that the latter had been left with “no option but [to go to] court”.

Asked what the purpose of the meetings was and what way forward it proposed to resolve the growing dispute‚ CSA offered little.

“Unfortunately, there will be no comment from CSA regarding these matters as the chief executive has not met with the board‚” a spokesperson said on Monday.

The spokesperson said Moroe was due back in SA on Monday night and would probably talk to the board later this week.

A statement from Nelson Mandela Bay Stars owner Ajay Sethi issued on behalf of the owners said ‘it is clear that CSA are not committed to fulfilling their side of the deal with the bona fide T20GL owners”.

“[CSA] have continuously changed their position and have shown to have no interest in working with the current T20GL owners‚” it said.

“The owners have no option but to go the legal route and consider all legal options to protect our interests.”