South Africa Tourism has decided to cancel a proposed sponsorship deal with Tottenham Hotspur of the English Premier League.
“The SA Tourism Board will no longer proceed with the transaction,” Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille said, adding that given the “current economic climate, the use of public funds must be carefully considered.”
Ms. De Lille recently condemned the deal after seeking legal advice, claiming that it had not been adequately budgeted for.
The three-year shirt sleeve sponsorship deal was worth approximately $51 million (£41 million) and would have begun in 2023-24 and ended in 2026-27.
The proposed agreement has sparked widespread outrage, particularly among cash-strapped national sports federations and labor unions who believe the money would be better spent elsewhere.
