ICC Media Rights: Global body to accept sealed bids as usual, e-auction only in case of a ‘tie’
ICC Media Rights: The International Cricket Council (ICC) would only hold an electronic auction for the sale of media rights if all interested parties submit identical bids in the first round, according to PTI.
The governing body reportedly sought clarifications from Viacom18, which recently won the IPL India digital rights with a record bid of Rs 23,578 crore via an e-auction, regarding a few issues, but the ICC will stick to its original strategy — sealed bids for round 1 and an e-auction for the second round only if there is a tie.
In reality, the ICC handed out a number of clarifications to the interested parties on Friday regarding the bidding process that will be held in August for the cycle beginning in 2024.
“The ICC always gets multiple queries on the bidding process and that is nothing new for the global body.
“Clarification went out to prospective bidders on a range of things as there is a specific time for clarification. Bids will be proceeding exactly as outlined previously. Sealed bids is considered standard practice to drive best price for members,” an industry source privy to development told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
The ICC has always had the option for an electronic auction, but only if the first bids from the corporations are close enough to warrant a second round.
“If it goes to the second round, it will be e-auction, a straight shoot-out if there are two similar bids and we need a clear winner,” the source said.
The three packages offered by the ICC are Package A for TV rights. Package B for digital rights, and Package C for both TV and digital rights. There several women’s U-19 T20 World Cups included in the bundles.
There are two distinct time periods for men: four years and eight years.
Bidders may elect to submit a bid for an eight-year term in addition to the mandatory four-year term. It is for a four-year term for women only.
“For the first time ever, men’s and women’s rights will sold separately. And prospective partners can bid for 16 Men’s events (over 8 years). And six Women’s events (over 4 years), totaling 362 and 103 matches respectively,” the ICC had stated in a release.
There are still more games in the U-19 men’s and women’s division in addition to these 465 games.
With up to six packages available spanning TV exclusively, digital only. Or a combination of both, the ITT is only for the Indian market.
(With PTI Inputs)
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