BCCI sells cricket at Rs31 cr a game

Nimbus Communications has retained the media rights for Indian cricket for another four years. This includes television and radio broadcast rights. Nimbus has agreed to pay Rs2,000 crore, and the whole amount in advance, to clinch the deal.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has fixed January 15 as deadline for the payment.

While the figure is lower than what was bid to bag the existing rights — Rs2,700 crore for international cricket in India between March 1, 2006 and March 31, 2010 — the cost of the current deal is higher.

How? For one, this time the deal does not include Internet rights. Secondly, there is no differentiation between the three formats of the game. Nimbus will pay a uniform Rs31.25 crore per international match (Test, ODI or T20).

Also, the exact number of matches that India will host is not yet known since the new Futures Tours and Programmes has not been announced. However, the BCCI is likely to host fewer matches in this four-year period than in 2006-10.

The decision to award Nimbus the media rights was taken at a marketing committee meeting of the BCCI on Tuesday. As per the existing contract, Nimbus was given the first right of refusal. The holders have reportedly agreed to BCCI’s offer. A few members of the committee are believed to have wanted fresh tenders floated, but the ‘majority’ disagreed.

Harish Thawani, chairman and managing director, Nimbus, said the figures were speculative but BCCI sources told DNA that he has not just agreed to the number but also signed the contract.

“Today’s reports are speculative and premature,” Thawani said, promising to speak on the issue on Wednesday. BCCI secretary N Srinivasan, too, refused to comment saying he will come out with a statement soon.