Rejecting stories floating out of the rumour mills that the global media rights holder and a few more partners are ditching the Indian Premier League (IPL), Lalit Modi, Chairman made an emphatic statement here on Friday.
“All the partners including, Sony Television/ World Sport Group (WSG) are with the IPL. In fact they have already paid whatever money they were committed to. We receive hundreds of payments and not a single partner has defaulted.
“The IPL is a jewel in the crown of Sony Television; it’s a top cricket property for the broadcaster. Personally, I feel sad that Kunal Dasgupta has quit the company as CEO. He liked the concept of IPL and was the architect of developing the property for Sony,” Modi said
Last year Sony/ WSG had won the IPL media rights for $1.026 billion for a 10-year period, with $108 million pared for promotional activities.
IPL’s other partners are DLF (title sponsor for the first five years at $50 million), Hero Honda (associate sponsor at $22.5 million for the first five years), Pepsico (pouring partner for the first five years at $12.5 million), Kingfisher Airlines (umpires’ partner for the first five years at $26.5 million) and Vodafone Essar (telecom partner for the first five years at $25 million). Citi is the official banking partner.
With regard to the on-air sponsorship dispute involving Sony, Big TV and Airtel, Modi said: “these are business issues and we are jointly addressing it. We are in the process of resolving the issue.
“Let me say again that none of the IPL partners have left or have told us they are leaving. In fact, corporates have approached IPL at multiple prices. I cannot give the names of the corporates until the agreement is signed.”
“Ricky Ponting had given sufficient hints that he will not be taking part in the IPL season 2. I would like to reiterate that the ICC’s FTP is paramount. The IPL is not dependent on a handful of foreign players.
“The IPL has a natural window and it was a success last year because cricketers played their part at different times of the event.
“Some players were available right through the competition,” said Modi.
“This year we have allowed a maximum of 10 overseas players, although only four can play in a match,” he added. — Special Correspondent
Source: www.hindu.com
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