BCCI waives off one match from media rights deal with Star India for 2018-2023 cycle

In a recent development, it has come to the fore that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has finally resolved to waive off one match from the scope of Star Sports India, which had been their television broadcasting partner for the 2018-2023 cycle of cricket matches played in India, which included both domestic and international fixtures. 

The deal struck between the BCCI and Star Sports covered the conduction of 102 games. However, during the period, one extra match was conducted by BCCI and with that, the 103rd clash had become the bone of contention between BCCI and Star India. 

The additional match amounts to a total of INR 78.90 crore which wasn't included in the original deal that involved an amount of INR 6138.1 crore.

Talking about the resolution, BCCI officially stated that one match from the cycle had been waived-off to bring down the number of matches from 103 to 102.

"It has been resolved to waive off (one) match from the scope of Star India Private Limited under the BCCI-Star Media Rights Agreement dated 5th April 2018 for BCCI International and Domestic Matches. The total number of matches during the rights period has now been reduced from 103 to 102," stated BCCI as reported by Economic Times.

I don't see an issue here: sources close to Star India

In the context of the dispute, sources close to Star India have revealed that the original Media Rights Agreement (MRA) included 102 games and therefore, there should be no question of Star India paying extra for the 103rd match.

"The MRA had 102 games and Star will pay for those matches. I don't see an issue here,'' said sources close to Star India.

Notably, a similar issue had also arisen when matches had to be cancelled and rescheduled in the year 2020, due to COVID-19. On account of the rearrangement, Star India had asked for a waiver of rs. 139 crore.