WSG blasts BCCI in IPL row 01/07/2010 |
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World Sport Group (WSG) has rejected “in the strongest possible terms” the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) attempts to sever its broadcast deal for the Indian Premier League (IPL) and accused the governing body of using the agency as a "pawn" in its dispute with Lalit Modi.
In a letter seen by the Press Association’s The Sport Briefing, WSG chairman and chief executive Seamus O’Brien took BCCI honorary secretary N. Srinivasan to task over “unsupported and unsubstantiated allegations” laid against the sports marketing, event management and media company.
The letter said: “Not only have you failed absolutely to provide any evidence on which you base your allegations, but you have not engaged us in a single conversation or request for information to help you reach your decision, despite our numerous attempts to do so.
“We believe we have been an invaluable partner to the BCCI for many years, and indeed would hope that this can continue for many more to come. Rest assured that we will take whatever steps are necessary in whatever part of the world to ensure that agreements with our business are honoured and complied with, and our good name and reputation preserved.”
This week’s announcement by the BCCI came just days after WSG stated it was “surprised” over news of an amended media rights agreement for the IPL between the Board and Multi Screen Media (MSM), and would defend any claims made against it.
The decision essentially cancelled all rights handed to WSG by suspended IPL commissioner Modi, with reports suggesting the deal will form the basis of the BCCI's action against him on July 3, when it holds a special general meeting.
Modi has been accused of, among other things, financial irregularity in his position as head of the IPL.
Hitting out at the BCCI’s role in the process, O’Brien stated in the letter that the Board’s motives in taking the action “serve the interests of an internal agenda”, adding that its arguments “must be measured against these other objectives rather than their legal merit”.
The WSG chief added: “The fact that you have now sought to use us as a pawn in this game is extremely disappointing and something we can no longer sit by and allow you to do.”
Meanwhile, Srinivasan has claimed that a new tender for the media rights held by WSG will be launched in the near future. “We have terminated the existing contract with WSG after thorough consideration and will invite fresh bids very soon,” he told ESPNstar.com.
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