Two of the four major Premier Soccer League (PSL) sponsors, Absa and MTN, are "concerned" about not deriving maximum value from their sponsorship of the Absa Premiership and MTN8 as a result of the SABC's TV blackout of PSL matches which has since spread to its 18 radio stations.
The blackout left millions of soccer-mad South Africans in the lurch last week after the SABC instructed radio stations to cancel all coverage or commentary of the PSL.
Absa, one of the four big banking institutions in SA, is the main sponsor of the PSL, with league winners set to pocket R15m for the first time in the 2019-20 season.
MTN, one Africa's telecoms giants, has been part of the big sponsors of the PSL since 2008 with the early season R8m tournament flying under the banner of the top eight competition.
Telkom and Nedbank back the PSL's other two cup competitions.
The cellular network provider is currently bearing the brunt of the television and radio blackout and is expected to lose millions in airtime.
MAXIMUM REACH
MTN8 - synonymous with fantastic activities that excite football fans while offering their customers several opportunities to win big during the tournament - derived maximum reach through the millions who rely on the public broadcaster.
The blackout means that SABC Sport radio presenters and journalists cannot mention the word MTN8 on air, let alone mention the scores of PSL matches.
MTN has now lost that advantage due to the blackout as millions of South Africans do not have access to DStv as they rely on the public broadcaster for coverage and updates.
Jacqui O'Sullivan, executive for corporate affairs at MTN SA, said the company is in continuous discussions with the PSL to seek a resolution.
"The current issue, related to coverage of the MTN8 by the public broadcaster, is certainly a concern," said O'Sullivan.
"MTN is engaging with the PSL to ensure both MTN and its customers can continue to derive great value from the tournament."
Since its launch on Tuesday this week, there has been no mention of MTN8 on SABC Sport bulletins and talk shows as the public broadcaster heightened stakes in its gigantic battle with the PSL for broadcast rights.
HANDS TIED
Songezo Zibi, head of communications at the Absa Group, said their hands were tied as they cannot get directly involved in finding a solution to resolve SABC-PSL problems.
"We are certainly concerned but contractually we can't do anything. We are worried about our customers who rely on the public broadcaster to find out what's happening with their teams in the PSL," said Zibi, adding that they are hoping for a "speedy resolution to the impasse".
The SABC has failed to broadcast premiership matches since the start of the season last week. The cash-strapped public broadcaster insists that acquiring the rights at the current cost of R280m for 144 games a year in not commercially viable as the SABC will make revenue of just R47m a year.
Insiders have told the Sunday Times that MTN is not happy with the PSL and that there are ongoing talks between the parties.
In a bid to please their sponsors, the PSL is scrambling behind the scenes to find a solution and has met with O'Sullivan this week for talks.
HIGH-PROFILE MATCHES
PSL spokesman Luxolo September told the Sunday Times yesterday they the league's chairman Irvin Khoza was the only one mandated by the league to comment on the matter. But attempts to contact Khoza proved futile.
The MTN8 began yesterday with three high-profile matches which were only broadcast by pay-TV channel and exclusive rights holder SuperSport.
The tournament continues today as 2016 and 2017 winners - Bidvest Wits and SuperSport United - face off at Milpark at 3pm.
SABC sport staff had challenges this week after SABC radio GM Leuba Ramakgolo instructed all stations not to promote any content related to the PSL.
SABC spokesperson Vuyo Mthembu said the SABC sport reportage on PSL-related content has been "exceptional" given the prevailing circumstances.
"The SABC staff dealing with sport-related content have done an exceptionally good job under the circumstances in ensuring that a variety of sporting issues are covered, as they usually do," said Mthembu.
"The SABC in the interest of the SA public, is willing to engage with any stakeholder in resolving this impasse.
"It is unfortunate that we are not able to broadcast the PSL to the millions of soccer- loving South Africans. However, the SABC will not enter into agreements which are not commercially viable."
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