Star, ESPN bag BCCI sponsorship rights for 2013-14 season

The Board of Control for Cricket in India awarded the title sponsorship for all international series and the domestic tournaments in India for the year 2013-14 to Star Private Ltd. and ESPN at the base price of Rs two crore per fixture, considerably low compared to their previous deal with Airtel on Thursday.

"The Marketing Committee of the BCCI met at the Cricket Centre, Mumbai, to receive the bids made for Title Sponsorship of International Series and Domestic Tournaments to be played in India in the 2013-14 season," BCCI Secretary Sanjay Patel said.

"The Marketing Committee has awarded the Title Sponsorship Rights for all series to be played in India in the 2013-14 season to Star India Pvt. Ltd and ESPN Software India Pvt. Ltd, at a fee of Rs 2 crore per international match," he added.

Patel said bidders had the option of "bidding for either the series between India and Australia, or the series between India and the West Indies, or both."

There are two international series currently scheduled during the period -- the seven-match ODI series and a T20 game between India and Australia, followed by two Tests and three ODIs against the West Indies.

Sponsorship rights will extend to domestic events such as Irani Cup, Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, Vijay Hazare, Deodhar Trophy and Raj Singh Dungarpur Trophy.

The new deal comes after Airtel's partnership with the BCCI ended this year.

The telecom giant had won the sponsorship rights in 2010 for all international and domestic matches scheduled in India.

The three-year contract, running from September 1, 2010 to March 31, 2013, was worth Rs 3.33 crore for each international fixture. Airtel was also allowed branding on stumps and fixed slots for in-stadium advertising as part of the deal.

There was a three-month window for Airtel to negotiate an extension of the contract, but with no further discussion on the matter, the BCCI's marketing committee floated fresh tender document last month.

Photograph: Harish Kotian/Rediff.com