We expect the BCCI to honor the agreement terms: NP Singh

With the Lodha Committee report in full swing, some of the decisions made by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have been quite surprising if not shocking, to say the least. The latest of the decisions the BCCI would most certainly have to take would be the ITT or the Invitation to Tender for the rights to broadcast the Indian Premier League. The rights at the moment rest with the Sony Pictures Network (SPN).

While Sony has been hosting the Indian Premier League since the first season, the BCCI may thrust their long-term partners into a bidding war for the upcoming season. The decision of the BCCI to go ahead with a ‘transparent tendering process’ may well see the network bidding for the television rights for the upcoming season.

NP Sing, the CEO of the Network went on to state that he expected the BCCI to honor the terms of the contract as in accordance with any organization of considerable repute.

Reacting to this development, NP Singh, CEO, Sony Pictures Network (SPN), told TOI: “As a responsible sports body, we expect the BCCI to honour the terms of the contract, just as every reputed organization would do.”

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However, in spite of all this, an undisclosed board official went on to confirm that the Board, as well as the tournament, was moving into a ‘new age’ and a ‘new world’. “Yes, we are announcing it. Deals that happened between 2008 and 2010 happened in different circumstances. It’s a different world today.”

Should the Board make an announcement with regards to the ITT, NP Singh, and Sony Television Network will be left with a difficult option to move to the courts. However, should they do this, they most certainly will be blacklisted by the BCCI for the next 10 years. If there is a bidding for the TV rights, Star, the official partner of the BCCI may well secure the rights to host the premier tournament.

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