Published: Sep 08, 2016, 11:39 AM (IST)
Edited: Sep 08, 2016, 11:39 AM (IST)
The all money-affair, Indian Premier League (IPL) will see, a few important decisions from the financial point of view, in regard to its scheme of things for the next 10 years. According to sources, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has given its existing right holder Sony Pictures Network India (SPNI), a ‘a 10-day window to arrive at an understanding that a broadcast rights deal of such high value can’t be held inside a closed room and needs to undergo a transparent bidding process,” as quoted by Times of India. The 10-day window will end this week and it is learned that the BCCI is ready to isue an Invitation to Tender anytime in September itself. READ: IPL broadcast rights at stake
SPNI’s has said that there is a ‘first rights clause’ in their IPL contract. They had also written to BCCI to give them a ‘final written offer’ under the same, to again negotiate the telecast deal. But the BCCI has told SPNI that no such ‘final written offer can be given’, keeping in mind the Supreme Court’s order that demands transparency in all financial deals.
BCCI feels the only way forward for interested parties is through the tender process. “Gone are those days when Lalit Modi used to conduct deals the way he did. It is clear that no deals will now be conducted outside of an open bidding process. The BCCI has written to SPNI, informing them the same and it is for them to agree to take part in a fair bidding process,” said a TOI source.
But there have been voices that have been targetted at BCCI for not living upto its own words and selling the ground rights of the T20Is between India and West Indies in Florida, although the board says there was no time to work things out then.
According to sources, SPNI will have the option to head to court, in regard to their existing IPL contract which grants them “first rights of negotiation”. However, SPNI will have to keep in mind that, BCCI’s working policy on telcecast contracts stipulates that they have the right to blacklist a broadcaster for a period of ten years if the board decides to take legal action.
