PREMIER Soccer League (PSL) chief executive officer Kenny Ndebele has challenged PSL clubs to be focused when negotiations for a new deal with league sponsors Delta Beverages begin. SPORTS REPORTER
Speaking Southern Eye on Thursday, Ndebele said a lot has been said about Delta Beverages sponsorship, but went on to challenge clubs to take advantage of the branded league and use it as a tool in marketing their football products.
“As you know that our three year-sponsorship deal with Delta expired this year, negotiations are now underway for the renewal of the deal.
“A lot has been said by clubs and football fans that the package was too little, an idea that I don’t buy at all,” Ndebele said.
The heavily-built football administrator went on to explain the nitty gritties of football management and other things that clubs should take into consideration when playing in a branded league.
“League sponsors are there to brand the league not to sponsor clubs. That’s one thing people don’t understand.
“In this case, Delta Beverages have been branding our league for the past three years and it was up to the clubs to be pro-active and look for other alternative sponsors to help them run their teams.
“Look at what has been happening at Highlanders, Dynamos, Caps United and Black Mambas. These clubs had other sponsors helping them with other expenses,” he said.
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Ndebele added: “As PSL we gave the league sponsor the 120cm2 space of the sleeve for advertising on match kits while the from part which is as big as 230 to 250cm2 is left open for clubs to lure other sponsors.”
Ndebele added that sponsors pay end-of-year prizes which also include soccer stars finalists and other categories involved.
“The league sponsors also meet advertising budgets which see all the 240 match fixtures as well as results advertised in more than one medium.
“These are other expenses that people don’t appreciate. We must remember where we are coming from.
“We had other sponsors like CBZ, Econet, OK, BP, Dairyboard and Nestlé that came on board, but they left. As PSL we have not sat down to review why these companies left.”
