Former SuperSport executive and MultiChoice Group general counsel Brandon Foot has passed away peacefully after a battle with illness.
In a statement on Friday, MultiChoice and SuperSport conveyed their condolences to Foot’s family, relatives, colleagues, and friends.
“Foot was one of the most respected and venerated legal brains in South Africa and worked extensively in the broadcast media industry as well as the fields of sports and commercial law,” MultiChoice said.
He came up as a young lawyer at Solomon & Nicolson in 1986, where he practised for 21 years — until September 2007.
Foot, who excelled as a cricketer during his playing days, also played a pivotal role in the unity of cricket, which was achieved in 1992.
He served as the Northerns Cricket Union President between 2000 and 2005 and served as a director on the Titans Cricket board and also on the board of Cricket South Africa.
He is also a former director of The Sharks.
Aside from his professional reputation and renown in the legal and sports administration industries, Brandon was an ardent Liverpool FC fan and loved his sport.
He played cricket for Harlequins, Pretoria High School and the University of Pretoria (Tuks). He was also a former chairman of Harlequins.
In October 2007, Foot seized the opportunity to marry his love of sports with his profession, becoming legal counsel for SuperSport.
He was promoted to head of acquisitions and legal in 2010 and served as acting CEO from October 2013 to April 2016.
Foot spent another six months at SuperSport as COO before becoming MultiChoice’s Group General Counsel in November 2016 — a role he held for nearly seven years.
“Brandon Foot’s legacy will last many, many generations. He was immensely passionate about South African sport… deeply passionate. He made an immense difference, lived for other people and was loyal to the core,” said MultiChoice Group chairman Imtiaz Patel.
“Brandon was a man who was remarkable in many respects and we will miss him dearly. Our thoughts are with his family. MultiChoice as a group is at a loss and we believe that the sporting fraternity is at a loss. May his soul rest in peace.”
MultiChoice Group CEO Calvo Mawela said that today was one of the saddest days in the history of the business.
“We’ve lost one of our own in Brandon Foot. Brandon lived this business, day in, day out and always made sure he put the interests of the business at heart.”
Mawela said Foot was a rock upon whom many in MultiChoice had relied.
“We’ve always relied on him on many aspects, from legal to day-to-day operations of this business,” said Mawela.
“It’s sad that today we announce his passing. To the family of Brandon, our sincere condolences from the MultiChoice Group.”
SuperSport CEO Rendani Ramovha said the entire sports industry has suffered an immeasurable loss with Foot’s passing.
“But more than that, his family and friends will sorely miss him,” Ramovha said.
“He was a dedicated team member and family man, and his contribution to the unity and growth of South Africa’s sporting industry won’t be forgotten.”
Brandon is survived by his wife, Judith, and three daughters, Liza, Tarryn and Candice.
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