Provincial executives call for 'proper analysis' of T20 league failure

The logo for the new T20 Global League and what the different aspects symbolise.

The logo for the new T20 Global League and what the different aspects symbolise.

Published Oct 12, 2017

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JOHANNESBURG: Chief executives of two provincial unions have called on Cricket South Africa (CSA) to conduct a thorough analysis into the asssociation's failure to launch the T20 Global League this year.

Staff at provincial unions around the country have been left disappointed after CSA announced on Tuesday that they would be postponing the tournament for a year.

“The impact here is that the world’s opinion of South African cricket will be very low,” said Titans CEO Jacques Faul. “(Cricket SA) has to save face, because we got this horribly wrong. But I also see this as an opportunity for us to redeem ourselves.”

Faul said the Titans would lose R1.1-million from their stadium budget, but that was a loss the union could absorb. “If the tournament goes ahead, then you will make that up over time,” he added.

Although not willing to put a figure on losses, the Gauteng Cricket Board’s CEO, Greg Fredericks felt CSA’s move to postpone the tournament was done “in the best interests of South African cricket”. As for the impact on the GCB’s finances, Fredericks said the union would “have to review a few of the plans”.

Fredericks and Faul called for a detailed analysis of what went wrong with the establishment of the League. 

“We have to look at the broadcast deal and sponsorship, it’s about that model for the tournament and ensuring it works. There needs to be a proper analysis done, to see where we went wrong, so that we come out of this with a win-win situation for everyone,” said Fredericks.

Faul remarked that the whole structure of the league may have to be reviewed. “CSA must make sure the model works, and that will involve going over what went wrong now. We can’t overestimate the commercial uptakes of these leagues, which seems to be what occurred here.”

“We’ve got to analyse and possibly relook at the whole structure of these leagues and whether they work for us. There has to be an effective analysis regarding the commercial imperatives of such an event,” said Faul, who was Cricket SA’s interim CEO for a year following the bonus scandal.

“Nobody needs this,” Faul said. “It is a very competitive sponsorship and marketing space. You now can’t demand a premium price (for the League) and sponsors will pay less.”

“Some sponsors may not want to touch it but you may find others who see this as an opportunity and will come in at the low end.”

Meanwhile, the coaches who were contracted by the various franchises are working closely with the SA Cricketers Association (the players union) regarding payouts related to the contracts which they signed.

The recently launched SA Professional Sports Coaches Association represents coaches from various sports and its cricket arm acts on behalf of all the local franchise coaches and those associated with the various national teams - although not yet Ottis Gibson.

“We have started engaging with the relevant people. There were contracts and agreements in place, so we need to know what happens now regarding those,” said Dave Nosworthy, the Association’s chairman.

He said Cricket SA still retained the trust of the coaches following the decision to postpone the T20GL. “They are all tied in with Cricket SA, which employs them at different levels, so they have got to trust that CSA will do the right thing. 

"There is no animosity... a situation has occurred. What impact will that have on our business? That is the engagement we need to have.”

Meanwhile at least three of the GL T20 franchise owners have pledged their commitment to the league for next year.

Cape Times

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