The Hindu Business Line : BCCI packs a punch with a league of its own, and fatter bounty

New Delhi, Sept. 13 The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has bowled a googly at the Essel Group’s Indian Cricket League (ICL) by announcing an Indian Premier League (IPL) of its own with a three times fatter cash prize of $3 million.

With a house full of supporters, including former and current cricketers, broadcasters and advertisers, the BCCI showcased its proposed franchise model. Corporates and entrepreneurs have been invited to ‘own’ teams and bid for players who will play in the Twenty20 format. Foreign players will also be invited to join the teams.

The IPL has the backing of the International Cricket Council (ICC) which announced the richest cricket tournament to date – the ‘Champion’s Twenty20’ League with a cash prize of $5 million. The winners amongst the initial eight teams who meet at the inaugural tournament in April 8, get to play England, Australia, Pakistan and South African teams at ICC’s tournament in October next year.

The Indian team, including Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble and Saurav Ganguly, who turned up at the BCCI’s conference in support, may not be available with other tournaments scheduled at the same time.

The league will open up opportunities for new cricketers. “Some of our clients who want to be associated with cricket don’t always have a budget for Tendulkar or Dravid,” said Mr Prasoon Joshi, Regional Creative Director for South and Southeast Asia, McCann Erickson. Broadcasters such as Nimbus, which holds BCCI cricket rights, and will have to pay an additional fee for the IPL, welcomed the move.

“It’s a great concept, but we will have to wait and see the final product, or the composition of the teams,” said Mr Harish Thawani, Nimbus Chief.

The spokesperson of Essel’s ICL, which is to host its first tournament soon, declined to comment on BCCI’s initiative.

Mr Lalit Modi, Vice-President, BCCI, dismissed comments that IPL was a knee-jerk reaction, and said that their league was in the planning for nearly two years. “It is too early to talk about revenue but already 30 different individuals and corporates have approached for franchisee,” he said.

Mr Sharad Pawar, President, BCCI, said, “Cricket in India is a religion and we will spare no efforts in enhancing all facets of the game — both on and off the field.”

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