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Our Bureau

New Delhi, Sept. 11 The international version of the Indian Premier League — the Champions League Twenty20 — has become the highest value cricket tournament on a per game basis. With a bid of $975 million (including a $75 million commitment to market the tournament), ESPN Star Sports (ESS) bagged the 10-year commercial rights for the tournament scheduled for December.

The deal gives the broadcaster the exclusive global rights for all the matches in the inaugural season of Champions League Twenty20and all seasons up to 2017.

“Through our television channels — ESPN, STAR Sports & STAR Cricket, our Web site www.espnstar.com, and our wireless platforms mobileESPN and STAR Sports Mobile, we are confident of taking the Champions League Twenty20 to new heights ,” said Mr Manu Sawhney, Managing Director, ESPN STAR Sports.

Bids were also received from the Abu Dhabi Sports Club and Dubai Investment Council. While the Dubai Investment Council’s bid was reported to be at $751.3 million, Abu Dhabi Sports Club was disqualified on the grounds that it was conditional. The $6-million prize money tournament will have eight teams, including the IPL winner and runner-up Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings respectively.

The reigning winners and runners-up of domestic Twenty20 competitions in Australia and South Africa, winners of the Twenty20 championships from Pakistan (to be held in October) and the current Twenty20 Cup champion from England, Middlesex will be taking part. Next year, 12 teams are expected to participate.

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