BCCI's statement puts mini-IPL in doubt

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) got a huge relief from the Supreme Court of India that hasn’t been on their side often to proceed with the bidding for the media rights of the Indian Premier League (IPL) that was postponed to September 4. The court also didn’t enforce upon the board to e-auction the rights. But a statement that the board clarified about a tournament that could compete with the IPL has resurfaced speculations.

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy better known for his Public Interest Litigations had filed a plea asking the court to order the BCCI to e-auction the rights to ensure transparency in the procedure. After the court’s verdict Rahul Johri the CEO of the board stated that the BCCI is indebted to the apex court as well as the Committee of Administrators (CoA) appointed by the SC.

“We’re indebted to the Supreme Court and the Committee of Administrators for the trust reposed in me. Our endeavour will be to sell the rights in the most transparent manner and ensure the best possible deal for the BCCI,” Johri said.

No mini-IPL?

In their response to the court, the Indian cricket board also ensured that they will not organize a tournament in the country that will challenge the status of the IPL which was considered a threat to the popularity of the league.

“The BCCI is committed to ensuring that during the Rights Period, the IPL retains its current status as the premier T20 competition sanctioned by BCCI. BCCI will not organize any other tournament in India competitive to IPL,” the board replied to a plea to ensure “no other competition (whether T20 or otherwise) is organized which in any manner dilutes the commercial value of the League.”

Clarification on the net worth clause

A clause for the applicants states that the company bidding for the rights should have a minimum net worth of INR 700 crore. Clarifying it further the board stated that it applies only for those bidding for the Indian rights. “The net worth requirement applies only to bidders for the Indian Subcontinent Television Rights (either standalone or in combination with other Media Rights Packages),” an answer in the clarification package stated as per Mumbai Mirror.

The Supreme Court appointed CoA has a meeting scheduled today (August 29) in Mumbai where they are expected to make the final outline for the auction that gets underway on September 4 at 9:60 am IST. In the auction, there are three different rights up for grabs – the primary television rights, internet rights and the global rights.