ESPN STAR Sports Bags ICC Rights

DUBAI, December 11: ESPN STAR Sports has shelled out a
reported $1.1 billion to become the global media and production partner for
International Cricket Council matches, from 2007 to 2015.

While the exact sum was not disclosed, the ICC noted that
the sum paid by ESPN STAR Sports was “significantly in excess” of the ICC’s
previous rights deal. That four-year agreement, with the Global Cricket
Corporation (GCC), was worth $550 million.

The agreement covers 18 ICC tournaments, including two
cricket World Cups, at least three Champions Trophy series and the first two
Twenty20 world championships.

This was a key deal for ESPN STAR Sports, which recently
lost the rights to the Indian cricket matches to Nimbus Communications, which
is said to have shelled out $612 million.

ICC President Percy Sonn noted, "We are absolutely
delighted that, after an open and transparent process, we have what we believe
to be the best deal for cricket. All the bids we received were of a very high
standard and we would like to thank the unsuccessful organizations for their
submissions. However, the Board was unanimous in the view that the ESPN STAR
Sports bid was the best, and we believe all of our 97 Members will gain
significant benefit from an agreement with ESPN STAR Sports. The revenue that
will come into the game as a result of this deal will ensure every one of those
Members will be able to plan for the future with certainty, allowing us to make
our strong sport even stronger.

Jamie Davis, the MD of ESPN STAR Sports, added, "This
acquisition affirms our commitment to the Indian sub-continent and the world
and we are absolutely delighted to bring the exciting line-up of ICC Events to
millions of cricket fans globally. Our company has done pioneering work in
showcasing cricket in an entertaining and informative way and we will continue
to innovate and extend the excitement of cricket through to 2015.”