SuperSport and the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) have agreed that SuperSport would not be seeking the renewal of the broadcast rights agreement for the Zambia Super League (also known as the MTN Super League), beyond the end of the current 2024/25 season in May.
SuperSport and FAZ have enjoyed a long-standing relationship, which has seen the live broadcast of Zambia’s premier club football league on the SuperSport platforms for 18 years since the first agreement was penned in 2007 ahead of the 2008 season.
SuperSport, in their quest to grow Zambian domestic football, made considerable investments into the league and the football community, as well as upskilling local talent, which also grew the capacity of the country’s live sports broadcast industry – ensuring production teams consisted of a majority of Zambian citizens.
SuperSport has contributed to the growth of Zambia’s club football during a time in which both Africa’s biggest sports broadcaster and Zambian football enjoyed considerable success – the latter winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2012. The Zambian league received exposure through the DStv and GOtv platforms, giving local talent an opportunity to be scouted and recognised.
Said SuperSport CEO Rendani Ramovha: “This partnership with the Football Association of Zambia is one we are very proud of. SuperSport has invested considerably in the upliftment of Zambian and African football as a whole. We remain Africa’s biggest broadcaster and we are proud of the contribution we have made to Zambian football and the growth of live sports broadcasting as an industry in the country. Looking back from where we started in 2007, and with the skills we have imparted to the local economy, sportspeople and the community, we believe we are leaving the league in a better place.
“SuperSport would like to thank the FAZ President Andrew Kamanga, General Secretary Reuben Kamanga, the FAZ Executive Committee, the Clubs and all officials and staff who have been central in driving our partnership.”
FAZ President Andrew Kamanga said: “The Football Association of Zambia would like to thank SuperSport for the contribution they have made in helping develop football in Zambia. We understand that the global industry changes, in addition to local socio-economic factors such as rising costs and load-shedding have impacted the MultiChoice and SuperSport business.
“Throughout the period that we’ve been partners, Zambian football as well as the broadcast industry have grown in leaps and bounds. Although the 18-year broadcast rights partnership concludes at the end of the current 2024/25 Zambia Super League season in May, we appreciate the professional manner in which the matter has been handled by both entities.”
MultiChoice will continue to operate as per the norm in Zambia, providing viewers with the best in local and international entertainment and sports content on its DStv, GOtv and Showmax platforms.
SuperSport will not be making any further statements on this matter at this time.