Reports: IPL media rights tender likely to be delayed further

With the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) being just a few months, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is busy planning and plotting. Notably, the upcoming season holds great significance as it would see the tournament going under several changes. While two teams are coming into the picture, the mega auction would see many sides going under revamps.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that the media rights tender of IPL, which is already delayed, is set to take more time. The Indian cricket board had announced that it would be done immediately after the appointment of the two new IPL teams in late October. However, as per the latest developments, it could now come only next month.

Uncertainty over the Ahmedabad franchise might be a reason for delay

“The IPL Media Rights tender for the cycle 2023-2027 will be released immediately after the appointment of two new IPL teams which is scheduled to be announced on 25th October 2021,” the BCCI had said in a media release following a governing council meeting of the IPL on September 28.

For the unversed, it has been nearly a month since the two new teams – based in Ahmedabad and Lucknow respectively – have been announced. However, there hasn’t been any significant update regarding the media rights tender.

According to a report in Cricbuzz, there could be three possible reasons due to which the releasing of the tender, which is expected to fetch over Rs 30,000 crore, has been continuously delayed.

It is learnt that BCCI’s indecisiveness over the auction is another reason why the tender is delayed. Apparently, BCCI hasn’t decided whether to go for an e-auction or opt for closed bidding. Several members in the board have argued that a close bidding can fetch a very high amount from a party that is raring to buy the property.

However, this advantage won’t be there in case of an e-auction. BCCI’s upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) is believed to be another reason behind the delay of the tender. A new Governing Council of the IPL will be formed with the inclusion of three new members. Hence, BCCI reportedly wants to wait for the meeting to unfold.