|
But buoyed by the more than enthusiastic response for team sponsorship
rights, the BCCI expects the telecast rights to fetch good money.
“At one level, I don’t think the Doordarshan angle should be a
hindrance as telecasting the matches on DD will mean more eyeballs
for all sponsors,” said Modi, whose company Modi Entertainment Network
used to handle the distribution of Ten Sports in India till some
months back.
“We expect the telecast bids to be on the higher side,” he added.
According to latest government norms, all sporting events of national
importance will have to be shared on a mandatory basis with Doordarshan
by private satellite broadcasters. This issue has raised the hackles
of the industry and the likes of Ten Sports and ESPN Star Sports
have moved court against such stipulations that also cover events
for which deals had been signed earlier.
Last time round the BCCI, under a different regime, had invited
bids for Indian cricket in 2004, Zee Telefilms had topped the charts
with an initial quote $ 260 million, followed closely by ESS at
$ 230 million. ESS had subsequently upped its offer to $ 308 million
which Zee, being the initial highest bidder had matched and was
awarded the rights. The matter had then landed in the courts after
ESS, on technical grounds, contested the awarding of the rights
to Zee. Since then the telecast issue has been in and out of various
Indian courts.
Interestingly, today’s bidding process for Indian cricket team’s
sponsorship rights at a five star hotel in Delhi was observed keenly
by representatives from Cricket Australia, including its chairman.
Also Read:
Fresh
bids to be invited for Indian cricket; BCCI clears Zee's path for
bidding
|
