The Hindu Business Line : IPL: ‘Auction’ of players

The IPL Twenty-20 is the BCCI’s latest brainchild for raking in the moolah. Not content with auctioning off sponsorship rights on everything ‘under the sun’, the BCCI now wants to auction the players too. The BCCI has already cashed in on the hype that the tournament has created, where everyone from Mukesh Ambani to Preity Zinta threw their hats into the ring. It is extremely doubtful whether the investors will get the returns they are looking for over the ten-year period for which they have already paid hefty amounts as advance. The BCCI will be laughing all the way to the bank and one can only hope that at least a portion of the money will be spent on providing better facilities for fans, who are expected to shell out money for watching this circus.

R. Vishvesh, Mumbai

IPL is a unique way to play Twenty-20 matches in our country. As IPL is considered to be a money-spinner, advertisers and broadcasters are expected to play their part very smartly. Since it is for the first time such a mega tournament is expected to take place, to what extent it will satisfy the viewers’ expectation is yet to be seen.

V. Venkitasubramanian,

Kochi

Responses for Racy cases

on Rupee Vs Dollar

This is with reference to the Racy Cases column “Dollar’s descent vs rupee’s ascent” (Business Line, February 18). The article was noteworthy for its simple and clear enunciation of concepts in an interesting manner. Similar articles on central banking concepts would be welcome.

Anupam Sinha, e-mail

Sir, The article was interesting. Indian exporters must learn to live with the strong rupee. They must think in terms of value addition rather than cribbing about the exchange rate.

When I was posted in Frankfurt on an assignment in September 1985, the dollar at that time fetched nearly DM 2.70 (Germany’s currency then was the Deutsche Mark) and Germany was Europe’s largest exporter. Its exports were in the region of $450 billion. When I returned to India in December 1990, the DM had considerably appreciated to 1$=1.45DM. But still Germany continued to be the largest exporter. Even today, in spite of the strong Euro against the dollar, Germany’s exports in 2007 crossed the $1-trillion mark. It was able to achieve this mainly by moving its products up the value chain. I wish Indian exporters also learn from Germany’s experience.

B.M. Bhide, e-mail

Indian Premier League, presenting a truncated but exciting version of cricket, is a wonderful opportunity for both the sponsors, eager to market the brand, and the viewing public, eager to enjoy the game. But it would surely lure cricketers away from their commitment towards their country.
It will change the dynamics of the game as the league formation is market-savvy in its functioning. Franchisees are free to ‘choose’ players. Apart from players, even coaches and umpires are also roped in as the new format enables them earn enough money in just about two months and devote more time with their families.
The BCCI has plans for improving the game at the grassroots level. There would be enough opportunities for upcoming cricket stars to showcase their talent, and also share a place with some of the world’s best cricketers. Money received from the IPL will help BCCI improve the infrastructure in all Indian stadiums and help host the 2011 World Cup.
T. S. Sundareswaran, New Delhi
The game is heading towards the big money and the latest developments make one wonder what would be in store for the game. As the organisers would be eyeing at the revenue from the game, it may not auger well for the game’s future.
Krithivasan, e-mail
The bull is not wounded. When the promoters of the company tried to make the most out of the current market boom, the markets surprised them, making some to withdraw their IPOs.
The fate of rights issue of some of the banks remains to be seen. The market is expected to move within a range and remain volatile will the Budget.
R. Swaminathan, Coimbatore

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