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The BCCI marketing committee met here today for about two and a
half hours to draft the invitation that would be published in major
national and some international dailies next week.
The Supreme Court's observations came while dismissing an appeal
by Zee Telefilms against BCCI's decision to cancel its contract
last year.
Mahendra did not react to media reports that the BCCI had framed
the tender's terms in such a way as to make Zee ineligible to bid
for the rights this time around.
Last time round, Zee Telefilms had emerged the top bidder when
bids were initially opened with a quote of $ 260 million, followed
by ESPN Star Sports at $ 230 million.
Pressed further if the events of last year had in any way influenced
the thinking of the Board, Mahendra said, "We have no intention
to keep anyone out of the purview."
However, a senior official of BCCI, who attended today’s meeting,
told Indiantelevision.com that the eligibility criteria drafted,
once okayed, would effectively rule out Zee’s participation in the
bidding process.
“After all, there has to be some criteria. We are looking at saying
in black and white that to be eligible for the rights, one has to
have three years of experience in telecasting cricket matches of
international repute in India and abroad,” the BCCI official said,
making it clear that the cricket board has not taken very kindly
to the long drawn litigation process involving Zee and ESS that
has cost the Board dearly in terms of revenue.
Indiantelevision.com also learns that BCCI has decided to
sell the domestic cricket rights at various levels to maximise revenue.
For example, rights for mobile phones, Internet and broadband would
be sold separately.
Meanwhile, PTI quoted Mahendra as saying that a representative
of the ICC Cricket Operations would come down to India at the end
of this month to discuss the latest developments on the ICC Champions
Trophy to be held next year.
Also read:
SC
dismisses Zee's petition on telecast rights
Cricket:
Zee moves SC against HC order
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