The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) remained unconcerned by the decision of Cricket Australia (CA), the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket South Africa (CSA) to forge a partnership to better market their overseas broadcasting rights for Test cricket. The BCCI is not buying into the concept of all cricket boards coming together and selling the broadcast rights for bilateral Test series as a block. BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke was dismissive of the idea which was first floated by a couple of members at the ICC meeting in July. “They are desperate to dig into the Indian market, let them do what they want to do,” Shirke told HT on Saturday.
“If we are the biggest market in cricket, we are. They are looking to form an independent body (separate from the International Cricket Council) to sell the TV rights, how that can be done is beyond me,” said Shirke.
BCCI is not amused by the talk of downturn in the Indian market by the acquisition of Ten Sports by Sony. “The claim that only two major broadcasters are left is not correct. They (ECB, Cricket Australia) have quite a few for them with Sky Sports, BBC, Channel Nine apart from Star and Sony,” observed Shirke.
The three Boards were also pushing for a two-tier Test format but the idea was also shot down by the BCCI. Shirke said there was a campaign to sideline BCCI from the decision-making process in the ICC after finding no representation in some important committees, including finance. “They are trying to gang up and trying to sideline the BCCI, if they want to run the ICC without the BCCI, let them do it.
“We are being told that there is one TBC (to be confirmed) seat in the finance committee. What does it mean? After all the decisions are taken and formalities completed then a BCCI member will be included?”
{{/usCountry}}“We are being told that there is one TBC (to be confirmed) seat in the finance committee. What does it mean? After all the decisions are taken and formalities completed then a BCCI member will be included?”
{{/usCountry}}“Now that (ICC president) Shashank Manohar has made it clear that BCCI has to look after its own affairs, we will look after our own affairs and we are fully capable of doing it.”
IPL broadcast“The IPL contract (with Sony) said that BCCI and the broadcaster had to come to an agreement within 60 days. We had negotiations with Sony and it has not worked out and we have asked them to be part of an open bidding,” said Shirke. “How can anyone quote a price? When you go to buy a car, can you come up with an offer I will pay a particular amount?”