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ARTICLE · 09 SEPTEMBER 2025

Clawed Back: What The Sundowns vs Mosimane Case Means For IP Contracts

ENS
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In May 2020, Football Club Mamelodi Sundowns and coach Pitso Mosimane inked a fresh four-year deal negotiated through Mosimane's agency, Moira Tlhagale Sports Marketing ("TSM").

South AfricaIntellectual Property
Craig Shapiro
Craig Shapiro
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In May 2020, Football Club Mamelodi Sundowns and coach Pitso Mosimane inked a fresh four-year deal negotiated through Mosimane's agency, Moira Tlhagale Sports Marketing ("TSM"). Sundowns paid TSM an upfront ZAR8.6 million commission and added a "clawback" clause: if the coach left early, a pro-rata chunk of that commission had to be repaid. Four months later, Mosimane resigned for a big move to Egyptian club Al-Ahly. Sundowns sued both TSM and Mosimane for ZAR7.9 million - the unused portion of that commission, plus interest and costs.

Legal issues

  • Jurisdiction – Did the Premier Soccer League's Dispute Resolution Chamber ("DRC") or the High Court have the power to hear the fight?

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