Downturn bites, rights deal hits the basement
MUMBAI: Brand BCCI hit a new low on Thursday when its title sponsorship rights for all international series in the next six months were awarded to Star Private Ltd and ESPN at the base price of ₹2 crore, approximately 40% lower than what previous sponsor Airtel had shelled out.
That means BCCI will earn around ₹17 crore less than what it would have if Airtel had renewed its contract for the next six months. Star Private Ltd and ESPN were the lone bidders.
The rights, awarded until March 31, 2014, will cover two international series at home, the seven-match ODI series and a T20 game against Australia followed by two Tests and three ODIS against West Indies, a BCCI statement said.
It also covers domestic matches -- Irani Cup, Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, Deodhar Trophy and Raj Singh Dungarpur Trophy.
Telecom giant Airtel had signed a three-year contract running from September 1, 2010 to March 31, 2013 and was paying R3.33 crore per international fixture. It decided not to renew the deal.
BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel blamed the current economic slump.
PESSIMISM
“The situation is such that at one point we thought it will be very difficult to get the sponsorship considering the turmoil in the financial market. But we are very happy (with the price),” he said after the BCCI Marketing Committee meeting.
The bidders had the option of bidding for either of the series or both.
“We are pleased that Star and ESPN Group bid for both the series. The deal will be close to ₹26 crore. Only one bid was there and the minimum bidding price is what they have accepted,” he added.
The board invited tenders last month. There was a three-month window for Airtel to negotiate an extension of the contract, but with no further discussion on the matter, the BCCI panel floated a fresh tender document. JAIPUR: What started as a former captain’s demand is now a habit for the Rajasthan Royals.
Shane Warne, who led the Royals to the inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) crown in 2008, insisted that his troops turn the Sawai Mansingh Stadium into a fortress.
It has been two years since the Australia spin wizard bid the IPL and Royals adieu, but breaching the Jaipur stadium is still a Herculean task for the opposition.
INVINCIBLE RUN
Now under the leadership of Rahul Dravid, the Royals are in the middle of an invincible run. Prior to the four victories in the ongoing Champions League T20, the side registered eight consecutive wins in the IPL.
The only team in the CLT20 to have played all their games at home this year, Rajasthan refused to let the opportunity slip. Besides the Highveld Lions and Perth Scorchers, they have scalped two other major outfits.
By brushing aside the defending IPL champions, Mumbai
Indians, with relative ease and snapping the 15-match winningstreak of the Otago Volts, the Royals have exemplified the notion of home advantage in sport.
What the winning run also meant was that the Royals earned the right to play their
In fact, the 12-game unbeaten run at home will worry the opposition, and Chennai Super Kings coach, Stephen Fleming, did sound concerned.
“We would have loved to play the Mumbai Indians in the semifinals. But you cannot pick and choose and we are now heading to Rajasthan,” he said, before adding, “There is no illusion as we know their record at home. We all know how tough it would be for us.”
Fleming ‘s side was caught unawares with the Trinidad and Tobago spinners making them struggle.
To add to their discomfort, Royals’ Ashok Meneria said, “I think it could be a headache for Chennai to play us in Jaipur, where we have not lost the last 12 games, which is a big deal.”