BCCI revenues stand to take a three- quarter hit
New Delhi, Feb. 11: BCCI is set to suffer a financial loss to the tune of ` 1,600 crore if Lodha panel’s recommendations on curtailing the advertisement breaks during the matches is implemented.
It is feared that in the wake of loss of revenue not only the smooth functioning of country’s richest sporting body will be hit but also the development of junior cricket in the country.
According to BCCI balance sheet, the operative revenue currently is approximately ` 2,000 crore, a large chunk of which comes from broadcasting rights and advertisement revenues. But if Lodha Panel recommendation, which wants the advertisements only during “lunch, tea or drinks break”, then it would come down to ` 400 crore.
According to a reliable source in the board, the Star Sports, which has the broadcasting rights of BCCI’s matches, currently gives ` 43 crore per match and such a rule could see BCCI earning as less as ` 810 crore per match. “Yes, it is true that we are facing a situation which could lead to a revenue loss of ` 1,600 crore. Star Sports will renegotiate their deal and may be pay us only 20- 25 per cent of the amount that we get currently per match. Ditto for IPL broadcasters,” a source in the know of things told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
The far- reaching implication of this could mean that during India’s away tours, the hosts countries such as England, New Zealand or Australia will earn more than India out of the broadcast deals.
According to insiders, there are chances that BCCI’s age- group structure, which is one of the most robust in world cricket, will be badly hit if this recommendation comes to effect.
BCCI spends around ` 750 crore ( approx) on subsidies to state associations, ` 400450 crore ( approx) on match- fees and allowances of players right from U- 16 to the senior teams.
Save this, another ` 350 crore ( approx) is spent to conduct around 2,000 BCCI matches from U- 16, U- 19, U22 to Ranji Trophy across the country. The former first- class cricketers and international cricketers get monthly pension for which another ` 25 crore is spent by the board.
When the BCCI source was asked about the implications of the possible hit in revenue structure, he replied, “The biggest hit could be the age- group matches, U- 16, U- 19s and the various camps that are organised.”