Published: Jan 10, 2016, 04:39 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 10, 2016, 04:39 PM (IST)
The Lodha Committee’s suggestion of scrapping commercials in between international cricket and Indian Premier League (IPL) can cost heavily from Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), as reported on CricBuzz. The projected telecast revenue, had predicted 2000 crores for 2016 on commercials, but if the recommendation by Lodha Panel is considered it could shrink by 75%. This would affect the players salaries, IPL revenue for the teams from the central revenue pool. A top official also fears that pension schemes for former cricketers will also be halted. ALSO READ: Lodha Panel recommends restrictions on broadcast of advertisements
The Supreme Court-appointed panel has recommended airing of ads only during drinks, lunch and tea intervals. BCCI officials were unavailable for any comments, but they strongly feel if the revenue of the board is affected, it will indirectly cause the expenditure. In its report, the panel has noted, “full liberty is granted (by the BCCI) to maximise the broadcaster’s income by cutting away to a commercial, thereby robbing sport of its most attractive attribute – emotion.”
“Commerce has also overtaken the enjoyment of the sport, with advertisements continuing many a time, even after the first ball and again commencing even before the last ball of the over is played, thereby interrupting proper broadcast of the game,” it said. Justice Lodha refused to comment and said, “I am not going to comment on the response of the BCCI. The committee was assigned to prepare a report and we have done our job.” Sources said that the board makes Rs 20 crore for every IPL match and with 60 matches to be played every season, the BCCI stands to gain Rs 1,200 crore from the IPL annually. “If the Lodha committee report is implemented, the board will then make only Rs 300 crore from the IPL. This will consequently reduce the income of the IPL teams too,” a top BCCI official said. ALSO READ: Mumbai Cricket Association concerned with recommendations of Lodha
As per international matches at home, the BCCI makes around Rs 43 crore from every Test, One-Day International (ODI) or Twenty20 (T20) game and will have to suffer losses to the tune of Rs 600 crore in case the recommendations are put to practice as India are scheduled to play 12 Tests and around 20 to 22 games at home in the coming season. The officials said, “The pension scheme for former cricketers will have to be scrapped.” The board has said clearly to broadcasters like Star and Sony to telecast important moments of the game and not to miss the coverage of every single ball. Therefore, the question of commerce overtaking the enjoyment of the sport is not there according to the BCCI. “If need be, the board may certainly talk to the broadcasters to bring in more clarity but the game can’t survive without commercials,” the source added.
