Govt bars PCB from selling media rights
LAHORE – The caretaker federal government on Saturday prohibited the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) from advancing with the sale of media rights, requiring approval for every major decision.
The PCB’s administrative committee is limited to handling day-to-day matters, causing disruptions in crucial dealings due to the inability to make significant decisions promptly.
The government intervention was brought to light in the form of a letter to the board members, demanding prior approval before initiating any important actions.
The fear of potential delays instilled restlessness within the board, as each decision might now necessitate approval from the Prime Minister.
The successful sale of media rights for the vital Pakistan Super League (PSL) has faced obstacles due to the government expressing reservations over long-term agreements.
The PCB has been directed to focus on short-term contracts, where it retains the authority, as the government raises concerns about expansive commitments.
To resume activities related to the PSL, including negotiations with all available channels, the board must now seek permission. This has resulted in the suspension of 7 to 8 tenders related to league proceedings. The prolonged delay has heightened concerns about potential reductions in PSL media rights’ value.
Challenges in the way of PSL 9 schedule:
The board, responsible for estimating technical and financial bids initially, is now hindered due to the government’s stringent approval process. The uncertain situation has also halted the execution of the PSL 9 schedule, as the cricket board insists that the finalization can only occur after the successful sale of media rights.
It is noteworthy that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expects revenue ranging from 8 to 10 billion rupees through the sale of media rights for both the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and international cricket.
Source: Pakistan Observer
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