Reports: BCCI consults agencies over closed bids and e-auctions for India's bilateral rights

The deal between Disney Star and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over the media rights of Team India will soon come to an end and the governing body is yet to figure out the next steps. The officials are currently discussing probable ways to determine that as e-auction and closed bids remain the favourite options.

Reports suggest that the Roger Binny-led organization has consulted five agencies over the way to go about selling the rights, for the 2023-27 cycle. Ernst and Young, one of the leading global agencies was one of them while KMPG, a brand with whom BCCI have worked before was also consulted. Notably, KMPG played a massive role in helping BCCI receive a massive deal during the sale of IPL’s media rights. It is also believed that Mumbai-based media selling company, Group M was also consulted.

Meanwhile, Disney Star and Viacom18 remain the favourites to win the race this time around. However, the association of Zee and Sony network can also be a game-changer. Notably, the two brands were set to join hands on January 1 but it got postponed to April 1. Later, it got postponed to June 1 but nothing is materialized as of yet. As per Cricbuzz, it may complete by August 1 and if so, they can very well challenge Disney Star and Viacom18.

However, it is now up to BCCI on when and how the entire process will take place. Closed bids currently seem to be the favourite as they helped the governing body earn a lot of money during the selling of IPL media rights. When it comes to e-auctions, the ultimate price would be just 5% higher than the last price but when it comes to closed bids, the companies tend to go all out and spend a lot of money and that’s what the board wants to capitalize on. The method really worked during IPL and thus, BCCI may end up going with the same formula once again.