The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday issued a set of clarifications on its media rights tender, but the immediate reaction of Indian broadcast and digital players is more than unclear, barring the issue. However, the ICC is confident that the correct procedure has been laid down.
A massive document of over 200 pages, answering over 650 questions, couldn’t ‘be satisfied’ with its responses on the much-anticipated accuracy on the multiplier for four and eight year bids, and more importantly, it contained ICC. What type of identity will determine? Bid for the second round.
Equally surprising, an Indian industry executive said, the ICC’s request for submission of financial bids on August 22, is to be opened only four days later. This is an ITT (Invitation to Tender) section which includes submission of envelope mentioning the bid amount along with other documents of goodwill of the company for evaluation.
Indian officials argue that if the bids are to be opened on August 26, why submit them earlier. Also the envelopes will be opened in the presence of all the competing parties, but their price will not be disclosed to each other.
The ICC has not responded but it is understood that the multiplier determining the value of four- and eight-year bids will remain unknown, mainly to protect the principle of ‘closed’ bidding. A source close to the matter said, “It is about sealed bidding. “This is the key to the entire tender. Why would it have to be disclosed? It is up to the parties to calculate the price and place the bids.”
For a period of four days (from August 22 to August 26), it is being said that the need of the hour is as the ICC wants to ensure that guarantees are given, due diligence is done, requirements are met And administratively everything goes well.
The ICC has rectified the point as to why there is a 20 percent premium for moving an event to India’s time zone and why no concessions are offered for taking it out of it. Broadcasters have been told that they will get a 20 percent discount if a program is transferred to a non-Indian time zone with a difference of more than four hours. This was first reported by Cricbuzz on July 20.
What everyone seems to be satisfied with is the ICC’s assurance that broadcasters have no obligation or responsibility in relation to withholding tax, which has been asked by multiple parties. It has been made clear that Indian companies can comply with the law of the land on broadcasting fees when an event is held in India.
Broadcasters say they are still in the dark as to how the ICC will decide on the winners of Round 1, who will bid for Round 2, should there be one. The second round, which will be e-auction if required, will be held on August 29. But Indian companies insist they expect another round of clarification.
The ICC tender is for media rights for the next eight years (2024–31) and is for the India region alone. All the major broadcasting players including Star, Sony, Viacom, Zee, Amazon and Fancode are in competition. The ICC has separated the rights to the men’s and women’s matches and is calling for separate bidding.
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source https://spotlight7.com/sports/cricket/media-rights-icc-sent-clarification-but-broadcasters-hope-for-more-clarity/
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