BCCI Aghast at Star’s Request for Political Ads During IPL 2019

The Media Rights Agreement between BCCI and Star states there is no place for political/religious advertisements.

File picture of Committee of Administrators members Vinod Rai and Diana Edulji.

(Photo: PTI)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has received a request from host broadcasters Star wherein they want to show political advertisements during the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League, starting 23 March.

While the Media Rights Agreement (MRA) between BCCI and Star clearly states that there is no place for political/religious advertisements, the SC-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) is set to discuss the matter on Monday, 18 March.

“The three-member CoA will meet on Monday and since the request has come in, they will look into what exactly Star is looking at. But, the chance of the committee overturning the earlier stand of the BCCI in this regard is close to zero. The last time the board was approached by the broadcasters to show political ads during the IPL, the BCCI had made it clear that sports and politics must be kept at a distance.”

Sources to IANS

A senior BCCI official said that this was an area that needed to be treaded upon with utter caution because the board has never mixed cricket and politics.

“I am not aware if Star has communicated anything of the sort but I do not see the BCCI relenting on this point at all. This would set a very bad precedent and the BCCI has always kept politics away from the game and this was true even when Union Ministers were the decision makers in the BCCI.”

Senior BCCI official to IANS

“Let it be confirmed first whether such a move is indeed being made since I have known the people at Star and I personally do not think they would be this foolhardy, unless of course they either feel that they could get their way with the help of those seeking political postings once their innings in the BCCI gets over or they are under some pressure,” the source added.

As per the MRA signed between BCCI and Star for a period of five years between 2018 and 2022, “Slotting of any political and/or religious advertisements during transmission is not permitted”.

But a senior official at Star India said that while the agreement says otherwise, the broadcasters cannot ‘say no’ to someone looking to buy spots and must reach out to the board.

“Yes, there has been an approach, despite the MRA stating that we cannot put any political/religious advertisement during the matches. The way it works is that we are a broadcaster and any advertiser in this country has the right to reach out to us and wish to buy spots/sponsorships. We cannot just turn them away. So, if a political party approaches us, we are obliged to seek permission,” the official explained.

“Say, if OPPO comes to us even though VIVO is the title sponsor. We have to offer the same deal to VIVO, but we cannot turn OPPO down. The media team or agency of a political party can say we are interested to advertise during the IPL and you cannot say no, although we have communicated that we aren't allowed to under the current MRA. But you know how it is. They will put pressure on you to at least seek permission and that is what has been done. We are now waiting for BCCI's decision,” he added.

A senior board functionary refused to buy Star's ‘obliged to seek permission’ approach and said there was more to this than meets the eye.

“There is absolutely no obligation for Star to seek permission if a political party approaches them. Why would they be obligated? Are they under some pressure? Is there a consideration for that obligation? What is the performance that they would demand from the party to whom they are obligated? When the terms of the contract are crystal clear, how can they ask for this relief from the BCCI? There is more to this than meets the eye.”

Senior BCCI official to IANS

Another former office bearer said that the OPPO and VIVO example doesn't hold ground. “The OPPO and VIVO example doesn't hold any water whatsoever. Is there any specific bar under the agreement that specifically prohibits advertising of companies that manufacture cell phones?” he enquired.