The RM Lodha Panel, appointed by the Supreme Court of India, has asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to accept reforms recommended by the panel before the bidding for the future editions of the Indian Premier League’s media rights.
As a consequence, the media rights contracts of the IPL which were to be announced on Tuesday have been postponed. The contracts involve media right over broadcast, mobile and internet.
The Lodha Panel has for clarity from the BCCI pertaining the duration of the media ‘Rights period’ making it crystal clear that no independent auditor will be appointed before Tuesday.
Eight companies including the social network the Facebook and Twitter had bought the tender documents. BCCI had appointed M/S Deloitte to supervise the submission, opening and ending of the bids.
Sony is the current host broadcaster of IPL and their contract with the BCCI expires after next year. The board is expected to award the rights for the next 10 years.
BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke has written a letter to the panel seeking future decisions whether an independent auditors will be appointed before the bidding process begins as directed by the Supreme Court.
In a letter written to Ajay Shirke, panel secretary Gopal Shankarnarayan wrote: “Before the Committee proceeds to issue any directions, it would need to satisfy itself that the BCCI administration is willing to comply with the Order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court dated 21.10.2016.
“As you can understand, this would be necessary in view of the BCCI’s stand concerning the earlier order of 18.7.2016. In this regard, the Committee requires a letter of compliance from the President BCCI duly undertaking on behalf of the BCCI to unreservedly complies with the Order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court dated 21.10.2016.”
Based on Shirke’s letter, Shankarnarayan asked for a few clarifications.
“In your letter dated 21.10.2016, the first paragraph reads as follows: 1) The BCCI has already declared the process of a global tender for the IPL rights, where the previous Ten-year rights contract ended with the end of IPL season May 2016, as it was mandated to do so by the expiring contract.”
The panel secretary concluded by asking two specific questions.
“A. When did the previous Ten-year rights period come to an end.
B.When does the next Ten-year rights period commence?”
The SC had earlier ordered the board to appoint an independent auditor to oversee tender and other processes before bidding for rights.
Other recommendations mentioned that there should be specific instructions on whether BCCI should defer or cancel the opening of the tender. The board also wanted a directive on whether they could issue clarifications to potential bidders if they had any questions regarding the bidding.
The three-member Lodha panel comprises of former Chief Justice of India Rajendra Mal Lodha, Justice Ashok Bhan and Justice R V Raveendran. The panel was meant to meet to on October 21st but it was later cancelled.