SAFA unveils US$100MN broadcast deal

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has confirmed it has entered a ZAR1 billion (US$100 million) broadcast deal with the yet to launch free-to-air satellite channel Siyaya TV.

Rapid TV News reports the six year partnership will run from 2015 until 2020, and encompasses all matches played by SAFA’s national teams – Bafana Bafana, juniors and women’s – including friendlies.

SAFA will receive $17.5 million a year for the next six years; one of the biggest such financial deals in Africa, according to the Confederation of African Football.

“This deal is a game-changer, not only for the SA Football but for the continent as a whole. The broadcast partnership is the way to go for the future of football and hopefully this paves way for other broadcasting players on the continent to do the same with their respective federations,” said Danny Jordaan, president, SAFA.

“Soccer is the biggest sport on the continent and the world and deserves better treatment from the corporate world,” he added.

The deal covers TV and radio broadcast rights, plus mobile and Internet streaming rights.

Siyaya TV is expected to go live early next year and will be fully operational when the deal kicks off on 1 May 2015. The current SABC deal expires at the end of April 2105.