With the 2024/2025 season already in full swing, PSL chairman Irvin Khoza has provided an explanation for the delay in unveiling the new Betway Premiership trophy.
Betting company Betway replaced DStv as the title sponsor of the PSL ahead of the 2024/25 campaign. The change came despite DStv having a year remaining on its five-year sponsorship agreement.
MultiChoice – DStv’s parent company, has faced financial challenges, including a R4.15 billion loss in the past year. Ending the PSL sponsorship is part of MultiChoice’s efforts to improve its financial situation.
During a press conference held on Wednesday at the PSL offices in Parktown, Dr Khoza announced a substantial increase in prize money for the current season. The champions will now take home R20 million, which is an increase of R5 million compared to last season’s DStv Premiership prize.
Dr Khoza also clarified that the production of the Betway Premiership trophy is taking time due to its unique design and historical significance, noting that it will take some time to complete. This announcement comes after the PSL revealed in July a three-year sponsorship deal with Betway, valued at R900 million.
IRVIN KHOZA SHEDS LIGHT ON NEW PSL TROPHY DELAY
“…Something we didn’t talk about was the trophy. The trophy is going to take a very unique journey because it is a trophy that has a lot of history and a lot of cultural elements around it. It will take a bit of time to finalise.
It is a story on its own, a journey on its own. We can only say to the members of the fourth estate, ‘Watch the space’ because it’s something monumental, something historical – the best to come out of this country. We’ve got so many beautiful things, but we forget to talk about them ourselves.”
The PSL chairman added: “So the journey that is going to be undertaken in finalising the trophy is going to capture the essence of who we are as South Africans – the best we can get out of this country.
“I’m saying to the members of the fourth estate; you will be invited when that journey starts to share with you the development of that journey, the travelling of that journey, ultimately to the day we finalise the issue of the trophy, so watch the space.”
Dr Khoza’s team, Orlando Pirates, are currently at the top of the Betway Premiership with 21 points after winning all their games so far this season [seven]. They are tipped to end Mamelodi Sundowns’ seven-year dominance of the league.
The Tshwane giants are in second place, six points behind Pirates. Sundowns have a game in hand but suffered a shock defeat to Polokwane City FC a fortnight ago.
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