No IPL-rights deal until BCCI complies with Lodha

The opening of the bids for the IPL broadcast rights is set to be delayed after the Lodha Committee told BCCI president Anurag Thakur to submit a letter stating that the board will “unreservedly comply” with the Supreme Court order of October 21. The Committee, on Monday, said the letter would be necessary before it issues directives to the BCCI to take the tender process forward.

The bids for television, digital and media rights were set to be opened and finalised on Tuesday in Mumbai. A senior BCCI official confirmed receipt of the Committee’s e-mail but was non-committal about whether the board would postpone the bidding process.

Last week, the Supreme Court passed an order that limited the financial freedom of the BCCI until the board and its state associations comply with the Lodha Committee’s recommendations. One of the directives in the order was that the Lodha Committee would set a “threshold value” for various contracts the BCCI enters into, and all contracts in excess of that amount would need the Committee’s approval. The Committee was also asked to appoint an independent auditor to oversee contracts from the tender stage.

Soon after the court passed the order on October 21, the BCCI contacted the Lodha Committee seeking clarification regarding the bidding for the IPL’s rights.

“The Committee is in receipt of your email and letter dated 21.10.2016 which refers to the Order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of the same date,” the Lodha Committee’s email to BCCI on Monday said. …

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