By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
SuperSport International has confirmed the sale of SuperSport United to Siwelele FC, marking a significant shift in South African football.
Fullview learnt that a R50 million fee has been agreed for the sale of the club.
This is part of efforts to revive Bloemfontein Celtic, whose Premier Soccer League status was purchased by Royal AM in 2021.
In a statement, Supersport International said, “Following a closed bidding process, Siwelele F.C was awarded the rights to purchase the three-time Premiership winners, pending approval by the PSL Executive Committee.
“The sale of the club comes as SuperSport makes strategic shifts to allow us to remain the biggest broadcaster in Africa and a leading global competitor. Shifts in the market, as well as the need to innovate in accordance with our core business, have necessitated focused direction to allow SuperSport to remain the best sports content provider on the continent and a leader in broadcast innovation, “said SuperSport CEO, Rendani Ramovha.
Siwelele F.C chairman Calvin Le John said: “As Siwelele F.C, we are privileged to have been given the responsibility of continuing with a rich winning tradition in the PSL. SuperSport and the MultiChoice Group laid an incredible 30-year platform that we wish to build upon, should we get the final vote of approval from the PSL Executive Committee.”
Calvin Le John is the eldest son of Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie.
Out of respect for the PSL Executive Committee’s processes, Siwelele F.C., MultiChoice and SuperSport will not be making any further statements pending the decision of the PSL.
The latest development marks the end of SuperSport’s 30-year existence after breaking into professional ranks by purchasing the franchise of Pretoria City.
They then went on to establish themselves as a fiercely competitive side in South African football, winning the PSL title three times in a row between 2008 and 2010 under Gavin Hunt.
Meanwhile Bloemfontein Celtic FC’ naming rights owner Eddie Modise said “I have been reading the stories, and I do not know who these people are. I was not even approached by people with a common goal,” Eddie Modise said. (SW).
Modise bought Celtic’s naming rights from Max Tshabalala.