BCCI Uses Indigenous Talent, Little Third Party Engagement, Saves Rs 35 Crore In IPL-15 Entertainment

The BCCI has pulled out all stops to run the Tata IPL-15 without engaging a third party. Barring a few players catching the Covid-19 bug that necessitated relocation of venues for two matches featuring the Delhi Capitals, the league has gone on without a glitch. From 2008 to 2020, the high-end revenue generating Twenty20 competition was supervised by the IMG, the New York-based sports management company. The BCCI parted ways with it at the conclusion of the 13th season in the UAE. The financial agreement with the agency had run into problems in 2008, before it was reworked to Rs 27 crore per season. The agreement was revised in 2017 with an augmented fee. “It’s an achievement. No doubt about it. The IMG had engaged a few of its own officials and many Indians. The BCCI has engaged perhaps the same local talent to run the show and saved Rs 35 plus crore,” said a former BCCI functionary. The BCCI paid a compensation of around Rs 100 crore to the Emirates Cricket Board (in 2020) and a little less last year. It has committed to pay Rs 60 lakh per match to the four associations (Mumbai, Maharashtra, Cricket Club of India, and DY Patil); and the compensation money adds to Rs 42 crore as host fee. All good for the faithful in India.