Mamelodi dismisses crisis talk
Mqondisi Dube | Wednesday July 30, 2014 14:21
Despite the setback, BPL chief executive officer, Bennett Mamelodi has said there is no crisis. He is confident a deal will be struck soon and the August 8 kick-off date for the new season will not be changed despite the sponsorship glitch.
“The league is starting on August 8. We have to find a solution as we have an obligation to ensure we remain competitive and relevant,” Mamelodi said.
“There is no crisis. Nothing stops us from re-opening talks (with be MOBILE). There are developments every hour. We are working round the clock to find a solution,” Mamelodi said.
He said their contract with be MOBILE is still valid and the two are still partners.
“They remain an option,” he stressed.
It is reported that after the talks to renew the deal with be MOBILE collapsed, new sponsors are eager to come on board as football still enjoys massive following countrywide.
“Sponsors are aware of the power of football and the effect it can have on their product. Look at what the sponsorship has done to the be MOBILE brand. The effect has been massive. It will not come as a surprise if the Premier League gets a new sponsor,” said a source.
A local bank has been strongly linked with the Premier League sponsorship amid reports of interests from elsewhere. A leading retail super marketing, another local bank are also mentioned as potential sponsors.
“I gather there is swelling interest in sponsoring the league although those involved are treading cautiously but they will have to expedite the process (looking at the start of the new season),” the source said. Inquiries have been made by potential sponsors since the end of last season, although interest was only expected to pick pace after the collapse of be MOBILE talks.
“Although talks collapsed, the deal is not entirely off, remember, be MOBILE tabled an offer and may be the Premier League office might re-consider,” the source said.
It is reported that be MOBILE had tabled a P10 million per season offer, but the cash value was below last season’s P8 million.
The P10 million included add-ons in kind and the BPL felt it was not a fair deal, particularly because the cash involved was lower than what is contained in the current deal which expires tomorrow.
In 2011, be MOBILE poured in P24 million to sponsor the league for three years with a more handsome cash component than what they offered in the collapsed negotiations.
Meanwhile, the BPL has confirmed the deal to extend the sponsorship of Mascom Top 8 is done and dusted. The tournament is sponsored by Mobile phone service provider, Mascom.