The State of Play: SA

In episode 4 of the podcast, Miles discusses the ever-shifting dynamics of player power and takes a look at players exercising their collective power in global sport. 

He discusses Kylian Mbappé's 'values-based' boycott of his obligations relating to French national team sponsors over an image rights dispute, and the fifteen footballers from the Spanish national women's team making themselves unavailable for selection in an effort to bring about change. 

Miles also looks at the way that collective bargaining and industrial action, in the form of strikes and lockouts, have shaped our sporting world and brought us mechanisms such as salary caps. And he touches on the rise of players' unions as business entities, including in the area of group licensing. 

This is a discussion between myself, Lester Kiewit and Heinz Schenk from News24, which was on air on CapeTalk in February 2022. We spoke about the salary cap system that's in place currently in South African rugby . We went into some of the important things that come up in considering whether the cap is serving the best interests of rugby in South Africa and our professional players. And I gave my thoughts on how the system might be changed to improve it. 

In episode 2 of the podcast, Miles takes a deep dive into the potential deal between SA Rugby and private equity firm CVC Capital Partners, and into the business of South African rugby, including the ownership of the franchises and the move to northern hemisphere competition.

In this the second part of the episode, Miles looks at the URC as a business and considers the financial incentive for SA Rugby to relocate to northern hemisphere competition. He has a look at the Springboks' potential move to the Six Nations. Miles also delves into the ownership structures and the role of private equity at the South African franchises.

In episode 2 of the podcast, Miles takes a deep dive into the potential deal between SA Rugby and private equity firm CVC Capital Partners, and into the business of South African rugby, including the ownership of the franchises and the move to northern hemisphere competition.

In this the first part of the episode, Miles looks at the growing role of private equity in sport. He considers SA Rugby’s business and its financial situation, which pave the way for a partnership with an equity investor. He also takes us through the deal that’s in the works with CVC and we have a look at the firm’s role in the sports industry.

In episode 1 of the podcast, Miles takes an in-depth look at the dispute between the Minister of Sport (and Cricket South Africa) and Sascoc about the introduction of a majority independent board at CSA.

Why is an independent board seen as important?

What are the respective powers of Sascoc and the Minister?

What are the key legal factors, and how will the dispute play out?

Miles also runs through the stories making news in recent weeks in sports business and sports law, locally and internationally.