The BCCI Media Rights tender is likely to be postponed even further. The reason for this is that BCCI is waiting to see what happens with the Zee-Sony merger. The merger is taking longer than expected because Zee is settling its debts. The BCCI’s contract with Disney-Star for home series rights expired with the India-Australia ODI series in March.
According to the Economic Times, Zee Entertainment Enterprises is currently in debt repayment talks with its creditors. Once completed, Zee-Sony will be a $10 billion serious competitor to Disney-Star and Viacom18. The transaction was supposed to be completed by March, but it is taking longer than expected.
The BCCI Media Rights tender is now only expected around the end of June or early July. The process will take about 30-45 days to complete.
Also read: BCCI AGM Today- Asia Cup, WC Venues & BCCI Media Rights on Agenda
As a result, the India-Australia ODI series in September is likely to be the first tournament in which the new rights holder will be involved. However, a decision on when to issue the tender is expected at the BCCI SGM on May 27 in Ahmedabad.