The Sri Lankan cricket board ended fears of a television black out during the West Indies tour of Sri Lanka when they announced on Saturday that television, radio and selected sponsorship rights have been awarded to Taj Television for the next three-years.
The BCCSL terminated an existing USD 27.1 million deal with WSG Nimbus 18 days ago, complaining of a breakdown in the working relations and WSG Nimbus 's frequent failure to meet payment deadlines. The BCCSL, backed by the Attorney General and seemingly protected by a High Court injunction order against WSG Nimbus interference, immediately initiated a fresh tender process.
Bids were opened on 29 October and according to a BCCSL media release: "An evaluation was carried out by PriceWaterhouse Coopers, who then recommended Taj Television, who are covering the ongoing Champions Trophy in Sharjah."
The recently formed Dubai based Taj Television, owned by Arab business tycoon Abdul Rahman Bukthatir, the founder of the CBFS Series cricket in Sharjah, beat offers from Trans World International (TWI), who had been tipped as favourites having just missed out to WSG Nimbus in the original tender process last December, and SET India, who held Sri Lankan cricket rights for 18-months from 1999-2000.
Only a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the two parties so far, but a full contract is to be signed shortly.
The final amount paid the BCCSL was not disclosed, but board sources maintain that "this is a better deal for Sri Lankan cricket" arguing that the deal is financially better, with the BCCSL not having to share production costs and retaining all revenue from team sponsorship deal struck with Dilmah Tea earlier this month, but also less restrictive than the WSG Nimbus contract.
"Against all the odds, having been forced to take action, the BCCSL is very happy with the new deal," said the spokesman. "We are confident of establishing a sound working relationship with Taj Television that will be to the benefit of both parties."
"The previous agreement impinged too much on the rights of the board, the players and third parties. This agreement, however, is clearly defined and affects four areas: television, radio, title sponsorship and a specified number of ground runners."
The legal dispute between the BCCSL and WSG Nimbus is, however, by no means finished. WSG Nimbus have resigned themselves to not covering the West Indies tour, having cancelled hotel reservations and proposed contracts with local employees, but still maintain that the "termination" was unlawful and are contesting the boards actions in court, both in Sri Lanka and Singapore
© Cricinfo
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