Chiefs, Pirates score R1bn sponsorship
Cellphone giant Vodacom has renewed its sponsorship deal with two Soweto giants, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, in a five-year deal believed to be worth around R1 billion.
The company has been backing the two most popular South African teams for the past 13 years.
The three parties were visibly excited at today’s announcement, which they described as a game changing deal.
Pirates chairperson Irvin Khoza was reluctant to reveal the exact figures only saying the entire deal was around R1 billion.
“I can’t say how much is the real figure because things change and figures change. This sponsorship is around R1 billion. We are happy that the game is growing and that what we have built in years will be strengthened in the next five years. We have to work hand in hand with all the stakeholders in the game,” said Khoza.
Vodacom’s managing director, Sipho Maseko, said the deal will reshape the “nature of sponsorship” in sport in South Africa.
“It is indeed a pleasure to announce the addition of a further five years to our partnership and as a reflection of our passion for the game and unwavering support for the fans, I am delighted to announce that this momentous deal will change the nature of sports sponsorship in South Africa.”
He added: “We have a good history with the two teams and we are happy that today we are looking at working together for another five years. As time goes on we want to make people feel closer to the teams.”
Chiefs boss Kaizer Motaung said he was delighted that Vodacom was still their major financial backers and did not impose their new corporate colours on the two clubs.
Khoza also paid tribute to his late daughter, Zodwa Khoza, Emmy and Vivian Casaleti, Jessica Motaung and Nkosana Khoza for their vision for the two clubs in ensuring they attract the company.
WHAT is believed to be the biggest sponsorship in South African sports history was announced yesterday.
Cellphone giants Vodacom will give soccer giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates “plus-minus R1 billion” over the next five years, according to Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza.
The money will be split evenly, with each club getting about R100 million a year.
The new deal would dwarf even that of Absa and Castle for Bafana Bafana made five years ago. The beer company and the bank jointly gave the SA Football Association R500million (R250million from each company) in a deal that is up for renewal this year.
Vodacom refused to confirm the exact value of the new sponsorship.
Yesterday’s announcement was the renewal of a previous sponsorship agreement between the company and the two football clubs, which began 13 years ago.
After all three parties had been reluctant to disclose the size of the sponsorship, Khoza said: “I can’t say how much is the real figure because things change and figures change. This sponsorship is plus-minus R1billion.”
Dave Sidenberg of BMI, the sports research company, said he would have been surprised if Vodacom had revealed the size of the sponsorship.
“I cannot comment on the deal until I know what the additional rights of the agreement are,” he said.
Khoza and Kaizer Chiefs chairman Kaizer Motaung said their brands were “bigger than the 7pm news”.
Khoza said the pulling power of Chiefs and Pirates has touched many people, including the ANC and IFP when they were at war in KwaZulu-Natal ahead of the elections in 1994.
“Myself and Mr Motaung joined forces to urge the people of KwaZulu-Natal to bury the hatchet,” said Khoza. “We are delighted that soccer followers in KwaZulu-Natal are united because of the influence of soccer.
It’s a great sponsor let the two teams use that money to buy player that are good for their teams