The tournament will involve six privately-owned teams and take place from January 2023.
CSA and SuperSport will form a new company that will manage the tournament which will effectively replace the ill-fated Mzanzi Super League.
Smith’s two-year contract as CSA director of cricket expired at the end of March. In late April, he was cleared of racism allegations against him with CSA ordered to pay costs.
“Graeme will definitely play a prominent role – either as the head of the tournament or as second in charge,” a source close to the developments told Rapport newspaper.
“To make something like this work, you have to sell your broadcasting rights overseas. Graeme will not only talk to potential franchise owners, but he is the kind of name that will open doors to overseas broadcasters. That’s where the money is.”
