The SABC wanted to prevent the Premier Soccer League from negotiating a
new contract to televise soccer matches next season with third parties
because the public broadcaster feared competition, writes Siyabonga Mkhwanazi in The Star.
The SABC was afraid to discuss market-related prices in an open market.
This was the argument advanced by e.tv in the Johannesburg High Court on Monday.
The free-to-air TV station successfully applied to be joined as second respondents to oppose the SABC's urgent application to interdict the league to stop negotiating a new contract with other TV stations. The existing contract, worth about R60-million, between the PSL and the SABC ends next month.
The public broadcaster wants the league to make it an offer first.
wo weeks ago, the SABC went to the High Court to prevent the PSL from entering into discussions with a third party about a broadcasting contract.
The public broadcaster wants the league to make it an offer first. Only if it does not accept the offer could the PSL go elsewhere. The PSL says it wants the best deal possible.
In a submission by e.tv, advocate Steven Budlender said the SABC had failed to show that it had prima facie rights to preclude the PSL from negotiating with other bidders.
Click here to read the full report, posted on iol.co.za.
