SuperSport is quitting Kenya rendering over 100 employees jobless. All employees of the continental sports broadcaster who have been serving on a month’s notice were on Tuesday handed their termination letters.
Among those affected include presenters, producers, analysts, technicians, camera persons, office staff cleaners and dozens of other freelancers.
The development came a month after SuperSport terminated its deal with the Kenyan Premier League Limited, claiming the latter had violated their trade deal.
In a brief statement by the company, it states that formal notice of cancellation of the contract has been given and all the necessary procedures are being put in place to manage the exit from the league.
“The situation became untenable and it put SuperSport at risk therefore it has no option but to terminate the contract. SuperSport will continue in its commitment to providing the best sports content in Africa via platforms with cutting-edge technology and on multiple devices,” reads part of the statement.
The new development comes after a two-week push and shove between the broadcast partners and the league managers which led to cancellation of live matches over the last two weekends.
KPL chairman Ambrose Rachier, one of the individuals who were key in signing the first ever contract and also present in the signing of the new agreement set to run till 2019, has confirmed to media that indeed no more KPL matches will be live on TV.
“We have received the letter direct from the legal team in South Africa and the reason highlighted was the expansion of the league to 18 teams by the Sports Tribunal. They are also concerned with the Tribunal’s decision that we are just agents of running the league and have questioned why we have not appealed the decision,” Rachier said.
