Reports: Channel 7 looks to terminate INR 2400 crore deal with Cricket Australia

Channel Seven is all set to terminate its AUD 450 million (INR 2400 crore) deal with Cricket Australia, if reports in the Australian media are to be believed. The free-to-air broadcaster has, reportedly, sent a letter to Cricket Australia (CA), alleging them of breaching the contract.

Seven reckons that the 2020-21 edition of the Big Bash League (BBL) won’t be as fruitful as one would expect it to be. It’s because, as per the broadcaster, a number of Australian cricketers will either be away for national duties or unavailable due to quarantine protocols.

Cricket Australia claims fulfilling clause of contract

However, CA reckons that they are providing Seven with cricketing action, fulfilling the clause in the contract. Apart from the BBL, their cricket schedule also includes a one-off Test against Afghanistan and full-fledged bilateral series against India.

“Cricket Australia remains in ongoing discussions with the Seven Network about delivering a compelling summer of cricket. CA is committed to fulfilling its contractual obligations to all its partners this season,” CA was quoted as saying in a statement.

As per the Sydney Morning Herald, the next instalment of the payment from Seven to CA of AUD 25 million is due next week, but the broadcaster isn’t ready to make the payment. It is also learned that Seven is irked with how the CA ‘bowed down’ to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), revising the international calendar.

The bone of contention between CA and Seven have come to the fore after talks between CA boss Nick Hockley and Seven chief executive James Warburton took place in Sydney. Both the BBL and India’s tour of Australia are scheduled to start on December 3 for the time being.

Earlier this year, CA had to endure turbulence after the men’s T20 World Cup had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic around the world. Australian cricket came to a halt back in March when their ODI series against New Zealand had to be called off midway after a solitary match at the Sydney Cricket Ground that was played behind closed doors.

Their players returned to action earlier this month with the T20I and ODI series against England. A few of their players would thereafter head to India for the 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL), starting September 19 in the UAE.