Cricket South Africa and SuperSport have formed a company to manage a new T20 competition.
The tournament will comprise six privately-owned franchises and is scheduled to start in January 2023. It will feature 33 fixtures across three to four weeks.
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“We are excited by the formation of something this fresh and invigorating, which also offers the opportunity for private investment into the franchises,” CSA chief executive officer Pholetsi Moseki.
“CSA has already received interest from a number of potential local and international investors.”
New tournament not the MSL or Global T20 League
Moseki emphasised this is an entirely new event, effectively not a version of the Mzansi Super League, which has not been played since 2019, or the re-emergence of the Global T20 League, which was postponed indefinitely several years ago.
“The company is looking at a very attractive player salary bill per team that will rival other leagues around the world outside of the Indian Premier League,” added Moseki.
SuperSport chief executive officer Marc Jury concluded: “We are delighted to invest in a product that will change the face of South African cricket. There is an early-year gap in the calendar, so the timing is ideal.
“The parties have invested significant sums of money into the joint venture. Governance and commercial sustainability are priorities for the board of this new entity. All successful leagues are underpinned by strong domestic TV rights deals, which have been secured for this property.”
Your questions about the new tournament answered
What is the name of the new tournament?
This will be announced relatively soon.
Will there be a player salary cap?
CSA stated, “the league will work collaboratively with the team owners and act in the collective interest of the league and teams. This will include discussions around player rostering and salary caps.”
Will the tournament feature players from abroad?
Four players from abroad in each XI will be allowed.
Will there be player demographic targets?
No.
Will there be a women’s event?
Tournament organisers are actively looking at the possibility of a women’s event to coincide.
Is a broadcast deal in place?
Domestically, yes. An international media rights sales process will be launched.