No consultation on 10% gate takings levy
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday January 19, 2026 06:00
The cost-sharing measure, announced by the BFL in a statement shared on Tuesday evening, will see clubs surrender to the BFL 10% of their gross gate collections per matchday. This is meant to assist the league body to pay referees’ allowances, match commissioners’ costs and other essential operational expenses at the league level. The league has described the move as a temporary arrangement, with modalities for administering the contributions expected to be communicated in due course.
However, MmegiSport has learnt from a number of clubs that the decision was enforced without adequate engagement, a development that has sparked frustration among clubs already operating under severe financial strain.
Whilst the BFL acknowledged in its statement that clubs are burdened with monthly salary commitments and other costs, it maintained that the contribution was necessary to keep the league running. Black Lions communications and marketing officer, Portia Olopeng-Mlilo, said the club recognises the league’s financial challenges but is concerned by the sudden nature of the decision and the failure to consider the varying financial capacities of clubs. ‘Dibata’, the youngest of the 16 Premier League clubs and among those with the lowest gate takings, is now expected to contribute 10% from a limited revenue stream.
“The new measures will have a direct impact on our operational budget. Gate takings play a critical role in covering essential match day and administrative costs such as player welfare, transport, accommodation, training logistics, and stadium-related expenses,” Olopeng-Mlilo said. She added that the deduction could further weaken already stretched resources. “A 10% deduction reduces already limited resources and may affect the club's ability to meet operational commitments consistently for the remainder of the season.”
Black Lions also expressed dissatisfaction with the consultation process leading up to the decision. “As per the club's knowledge, there was no extensive consultation process with clubs prior to the implementation of the decision. As a result, we feel that communication was limited and did not allow clubs sufficient opportunity to provide input or propose alternative solutions. Meaningful engagement with clubs would have helped in reaching a more balanced and mutually agreeable outcome,” Olopeng-Mlilo said.
Township Rollers echoed similar sentiments, with secretary general Ofentse Mosekiemang questioning both the fairness of the decision and the league’s communication. “(It is) not fair, some clubs do not have many supporters. No, communication was not adequate,” he said. Mosekiemang suggested an alternative approach to easing the league’s financial challenges, proposing that the BFL postpone all January league games. Black Lions, however, offered different solutions, with Olopeng-Mlilo recommending that the league explore sponsorship and commercial partnerships earmarked specifically for match officials’ costs. “Introducing a phased or capped contribution model that considers average gate takings. Centralising officiating through league-wide funding rather than match-by-match deductions,” she said. She further called for greater transparency around the league’s financial position to encourage collaborative problem-solving with clubs.
At press time, other clubs had not responded to MmegiSport’s enquiries. However, this publication understands that the general mood among the 16 Premier League clubs is that the decision could have been handled differently. Galaxy, however, support the move to deduct gate takings. “At Galaxy we believe that clubs should be able to assist the league office whenever and however we can. We believe the 10% contribution is a good idea by the league board as we are all aware running the league is very costly and we should be assist when possible,” said Morake. However, Morake said the club does not support calls for the league to be halted until the league office stabilises financially, warning that suspending football would ultimately worsen clubs’ financial challenges. “It always becomes costly when football stops. You would have a player on contract, sitting at home but getting paid. That own its own hits on the club's budget. Also nobody buys merchandise when there is no football. The gate takings cash stream will also stop, so that will aggravate the situation and hit back at the clubs themselves,” he said.
BFL outgoing chief executive officer, Billy Sekgororoane, said the board was given a mandate to run the league by the clubs, and it was at liberty to make decisions in the best interest of the competition.