Haroon Lorgat's exit likely to strengthen bond between CSA and broadcaster SuperSport

The bitter-sweet relation between broadcaster SuperSport and Cricket South Africa is expected to get better with the departure of Haroon Lorgat. SuperSport hasn’t really got to a mutual agreement with CSA, and being the only broadcast partner in the country, the valuation of the rights falling outside CSA’s proposed sum hasn’t made things smooth.

Interestingly,  the two bodies met in Johannesburg on Saturday morning (September 30), with SuperSport chief executive Imtiaz Patel and Ortus’ Venu Nair present along with CSA’s acting chief executive Thabang Moroe, chief financial officer Naasei Appiah and commercial manager Clive Eksteen.

Lorgat moves out

It has been learnt that Lorgat didn’t had a healthy relation with the top executives of the broadcast team and the recent move should turn out well for both the parties. Lorgat had released a personal statement on Friday. “By now you would have learnt the news that I have agreed with the CSA Board to step down as the Chief Executive of Cricket South Africa. It’s been a tough few days as I faced the prospect of moving on from my role at CSA at a time when Cricket in this country is strong and entering an exciting new era with the forthcoming T20 Global League.” he said.

“In late 2015, the very T20 Global League was a mere pipe dream. In January 2016, the Board supported my request to explore the prospects for a South African League and provided the mandate to develop the business case. Having worked hard since then and to the very best of my abilities, we are all very pleased with the impressive set of team owners and players already in place. I believe we will succeed to be among the best leagues in the world. Sadly though, it is time for me to move on and for someone else to lead the rest of this incredible journey as we are only weeks away from the start of the competition.” he added

The above is just one of many success stories I feel privileged to have been a part of since my appointment as the CSA Chief Executive in July 2013.” he said.