PSL clubs score R80m bonanza

Johannesburg - Premier Soccer League clubs will share R80 million among themselves to prepare for the season.

City Press has learnt that the decision was made at a special board of governors’ meeting on Monday.

While Premiership clubs will each pocket R4 million totalling R64 million, the 16 National First Division sides will each receive R1 m in preparation fees for the new season.

The board of governors also agreed to giver each executive member a R250 000 bonus.

The meeting further approved a proposal to send out an invitation to tender for the broadcast rights.

A highly placed source within the board of governors confirmed these closely guarded decisions.

The club official said the windfall was meant to help clubs to adequately prepare for the coming season.

“It was a fruitful meeting and everything was done above board. The clubs even wanted executive committee members to get more money, but the chair refused it. We are happy with the once-off grant as it will come in handy during this period of buying players,” said the source.

The insider said the decision to call for bids on broadcast rights was meant to level the playing field and avoid a monopoly, although SuperSport International is expected to win the rights.

In 2011, the PSL and SuperSport agreed on more than R2 billion to extend the broadcast deal for five years beginning in the 2013/14 season. The deal will lapse at the end of next season.

“The open tender will give all the role players an equal chance of landing the rights, rather than having just one company automatically get them. But I don’t think the status quo will change because SuperSport has set the bar high.”

With the SABC experiencing financial difficulties, the public broadcaster could again end up with only radio rights.

PSL’s acting chief executive Mato Madlala refused to shed more light on the once-off R4 million grant.

“This was a special meeting for our members only, hence we didn’t invite the media,” said a miffed Madlala.

“I’m not familiar with the terms of the tender invitation. The chair will be in a better position to comment on that issue.”

She referred the issue to chair Irvin Khoza, who did not answer his phone.