Date:28/08/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/08/28/stories/2007082862461900.htm

Sport - Cricket

WSG awarded home title rights

Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) augmented its gross revenue by Rs. 173.25 crores upto the fiscal ending March 2010 after it awarded the home international series (Tests and ODIs) title rights to World Sports Group (WSG) here on Monday.

The BCCI will host 55 Tests and ODIs in the next 31 months. WSG, with offices in London, Singapore, Hong Kong and New Delhi, offered Rs. 3.15 crores per match against the reserve price of Rs. 3 crores per match.

The previous home international rights cost consortium partners Pepsi, TVS and Videocon Rs. 1.10 crore per match. “WSG, Percept D’Mark, Nimbus and TCM had bid for the rights. WSG’s bid was over the reserve price and TCM was disqualified because it did not furnish some documents.

“We are examining the bids for domestic tournaments, Twenty20 internationals, and the branding of umpires’ clothing,” said Lalit Modi, Vice-President, BCCI and Chairman of the Marketing Committee. — Special Correspondent