DashMajor
EntMnt Knight
Is the India-Pak series a part of your deal with Ten Sports?
We wanted to accommodate an alternative to Ten Sports (owned by Subhash Chandra’s Essel Group) because we knew that BCCI was not comfortable with the network. We were keen that Indian broadcasters enter the fray to bid for the series. It’s a wrong conclusion that we were trying to help Ten Sports get the rights. In fact the reverse is true. We wanted Star or Sony or any other Indian company to engage in the bidding process. We were committed to having a fair and transparent bidding process. We tried to encourage your broadcasters to come and bid. Eventually, one of them did, but the bid was so short of the bid made by Ten Sports that there was no option but to give it to the latter. It wasn’t that we favoured them, it was only that their bid was much higher. We were under constant pressure from our anti-corruption people to ensure that the bidding process was fair and transparent. So, I was not going to risk a criminal charge by being non-transparent, for doing favours to people.
But BCCI wouldn’t exactly want to enrich the Essel Group...
We have said all along that if you (BCCI) have a problem with Ten Sports or the Essel Group, just let us know in writing that because of this problem, we would not like X company to bid for the series, because of their association with anti-BCCI activities. The problem was that we were never told in writing, even though we asked for it. You write to us and we will do what is necessary, because legally, our position is then established that BCCI is not willing to accept a particular broadcaster. So that makes it easier for us, although we lose money on it.
Second, we are opposed to any alternative league. Although we do not feature in IPL, we are opposed to any other broadcaster arranging an alternative league as has been rumoured. We said, if you can’t write to us, let ICC write to us, let them examine if these people are actually trying to undermine IPL, and ICC. If ICC tell us that these people are not kosher, there it is, we can then take steps. But unless we get something in writing, we leave ourselves open to a lawsuit for breaking a contract. Our position is very transparent, very clear and if there’s something in writing, of course we’ll take action. But will there be something in writing?
I know that the head of Essel has been talking to the ICC. What the result will be, I don’t know. They have been saying to them (ICC) that they are not launching a rebel league and that if the ICC wants it in writing, they are happy to oblige.
I have been assured that the India-Pak series in December is on: Shaharyar Khan - Livemint
We wanted to accommodate an alternative to Ten Sports (owned by Subhash Chandra’s Essel Group) because we knew that BCCI was not comfortable with the network. We were keen that Indian broadcasters enter the fray to bid for the series. It’s a wrong conclusion that we were trying to help Ten Sports get the rights. In fact the reverse is true. We wanted Star or Sony or any other Indian company to engage in the bidding process. We were committed to having a fair and transparent bidding process. We tried to encourage your broadcasters to come and bid. Eventually, one of them did, but the bid was so short of the bid made by Ten Sports that there was no option but to give it to the latter. It wasn’t that we favoured them, it was only that their bid was much higher. We were under constant pressure from our anti-corruption people to ensure that the bidding process was fair and transparent. So, I was not going to risk a criminal charge by being non-transparent, for doing favours to people.
But BCCI wouldn’t exactly want to enrich the Essel Group...
We have said all along that if you (BCCI) have a problem with Ten Sports or the Essel Group, just let us know in writing that because of this problem, we would not like X company to bid for the series, because of their association with anti-BCCI activities. The problem was that we were never told in writing, even though we asked for it. You write to us and we will do what is necessary, because legally, our position is then established that BCCI is not willing to accept a particular broadcaster. So that makes it easier for us, although we lose money on it.
Second, we are opposed to any alternative league. Although we do not feature in IPL, we are opposed to any other broadcaster arranging an alternative league as has been rumoured. We said, if you can’t write to us, let ICC write to us, let them examine if these people are actually trying to undermine IPL, and ICC. If ICC tell us that these people are not kosher, there it is, we can then take steps. But unless we get something in writing, we leave ourselves open to a lawsuit for breaking a contract. Our position is very transparent, very clear and if there’s something in writing, of course we’ll take action. But will there be something in writing?
I know that the head of Essel has been talking to the ICC. What the result will be, I don’t know. They have been saying to them (ICC) that they are not launching a rebel league and that if the ICC wants it in writing, they are happy to oblige.
I have been assured that the India-Pak series in December is on: Shaharyar Khan - Livemint
