Uncertainty looms over IPL Media Rights tender as BCCI awaits for clarification from Lodha Committee

MUMBAI: With 24-hours to go for bidders to submit their bids for the media rights of the Indian Premier League, the Board of Control for Cricket in India ( BCCI) is yet to hear from the Lodha Committee on whether or not the board can go ahead with the tender opening on October 25.

BCCI had sent a letter to the Lodha Committee on Friday night, seeking clarifications regarding the upcoming IPL media rights tender. The board has sent two more letters over the weekend, which have not elicited any response from the committee so far, says BCCI sources.

On Friday, the Supreme court had asked the Committee to decide on the financial matters of BCCI above a certain threshold by appointing an independent auditor.

As per the order, the board cannot sign any new contracts without an approval from the Lodha Committee.

BCCI is now uncertain on whether it can go ahead with the auctions, as it has already appointed consulting firm Deloitte to supervise the submission and the opening and assessment of the bids in a supervisory role to ensure "total transparency" of the process, or will it go against the order of the Apex court and may cause further damage.

Meanwhile, bidders are left in a lurch, as they don't have a clue on if tenders will be opened on Tuesday or not. "BCCI has told us that they are waiting for Lodha Committee's approval to go ahead with the auction. We have been told that the Board will revert today," said one of the tender buyer.

ET had earlier reported that the Supreme Court's order may have some impact on the IPL media rights auctions as the decision on winner will not be on the BCCI's discretion anymore.

The board's global invitation to tender (ITT) has attracted interests from 18 leading media and technology giants from across the globe. The list includes Star India, Sony Pictures Networks India, Amazon, Twitter, Facebook, Times Internet, ESPN, BT and Sky among others.