DSTV TO SPONSOR PSL?

Following the announcement last week by the Premier Soccer League that its 16-year relationship with title sponsors Absa would not be renewed beyond the current season, a plan to bring in a replacement is underway.

The Siya crew has been informed of interest from DStv, the entertainment video company owned by MultiChoice, though further details are still quite sketchy at the moment.

Several other reports have even suggested betting companies could see a big opportunity to become the Premiership sponsor after Absa stepped away having been in that role for 13 years, graduating from only backing a cup competition in the three preceding years.

MultiChoice are already involved in football by virtue of their ownership of SuperSport, the broadcast rights holders of the PSL, who currently have a R600-million-a-season contract running until 2024.

So, were they to come on board as a title sponsor, there would be some clarity needed with regards to how the partnership would be unbundled.

Asked for comment on this likelihood, MultiChoice preferred not to be drawn into “speculation”, while the league’s acting CEO, Mato Madlala, referred all questions relating to sponsorship to the chairman, Irvin Khoza.

He was unavailable at the time of going to print.

The league has lost a sponsor that contributed more than R130 million a season to its revenue and there is no doubt that getting a replacement is an absolute priority.