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Khoza Praises DStv For Sticking With Them In Hard Times

  • July 25, 2024
  • 4 min read
  • 254 Views
Khoza Praises DStv For Sticking With Them In Hard Times

PSL chairman Irvin Khoza has praised DStv, stating that there was no way the league was going to penalize them for prematurely ending their title sponsorship.

Despite having a year remaining on their contract, DStv withdrew as the PSL title sponsor before the start of the upcoming season. Betway has since replaced DStv, becoming the new title sponsor with a three-year deal worth R900 million.

Khoza explained that he would not impose penalties on DStv due to their support during the challenging COVID-19 period when the league faced financial difficulties without fans and gate revenue. He emphasized the importance of loyalty and gratitude, highlighting DStv’s decision to waive refunds for non-delivery during the pandemic.

“I don’t want when I leave this place, and they say to me this ‘Irvin Khoza is bottomless pit of ingratitude’,” said Khoza. 

“Without even pleading, they gave me a letter that they will not going to ask for the refund for non-delivery during Covid. So, why they must be penalties? 

“There is an English word they are using – abrogation (rescind). The lawyers talk about abrogation and then there is a penalty, not here. This is partnership that we are jealous about. 

“That’s why we go out of our way to go extra mile with SuperSport and I’m happy that Betway has been involved with the culture with SuperSport, MultiChoice, they are joining as we are moving forward. So, we don’t do that, we are appreciative.”

Khoza praised DStv’s contribution to the league, including their role in initiating the DStv Diski Challenge. He also expressed excitement about Betway’s partnership and their alignment with SuperSport and MultiChoice.

“They started the DStv Diski Challenge, we didn’t talk about the budget when I asked them to get involved with the Diski Challenge, how can I now, in good conscience, penalise them?,” he said.  

“That’s why I say, I don’t want to be label as a bottomless pit of ingratitude. That’s why I don’t celebrate birthdays, because when it’s your birthday, you invite people to your birthday and it end up being bad day and you ask yourself, ‘why did invite these people?’ – you can’t do that to MultiChoice because you are the worthy partner to have in million years to come, you are still part of us.”

Furthermore, Khoza recounted the successful broadcast tender process in 2007, where SuperSport’s comprehensive proposal, including a commitment to enhancing the PSL brand, impressed FIFA officials during a match inspection.

“I will never forget the experience when we put the ITT (broadcast) tender in 2007, we never put the reserves prize, we said the market must determine the prize, the rest is history,” Squveve revealed.

“But not only that, there was a 40-page document of how they are going to enhance the deal the brand PSL. 40-page document which spoke about minimum requirements in that bid on how you are going to make sure of that. 

“Even before they started on the game that was taking place during the FIFA inspection in 2007, we had to sure that they watch the game. For the first time the game between Mamelodi Sundowns vs Orlando Pirates, it was the first time they used 24 cameras.  

“The chairman of FIFA delegation was the chairman of the league association in Switzerland, he left the room and he came back after 20 minutes and he was embarrassed. He said in my country, we are using six cameras.”

Khoza concluded by emphasizing SuperSport’s role in elevating the league’s production standards and their contribution to South Africa’s business culture.

“SuperSport is the business culture of South Africa,” he said.

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