**NEW DELHI, Dec 10: **Come what may, cricket retains the loyalty of the Indian sponsor. Despite the Men in Blue turning in a series of uninspiring performances, industry sources estimate that the country would be contributing as much as $800 million out of $1.1 billion -the ESPN-Star Sports bid value which won ICC’s global broadcast rights from late 2007 to 2015.
India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are projected to contribute around $850 million while the rest of the cricket world will pitch in with $250 million. ‘‘It is true that the biggest market for cricket is in Asia and India is a very important partner,’’ an ICC spokesperson told TOI on Sunday.
These figures, an industry source said, is the amount the broadcaster will give to ICC. ESPN-Star will hope to extract even more from the sub-continent, through sponsorships and sale of rights to various media, for them to make a profit.
‘‘The broadcaster will get maximum returns from Indian sponsors. About 94% (close to $800 million) of $850 million from the sub-continent is expected to come from India in 7 years with 155 days of live cricket (165 matches going by current schedule).’’ an industry source said.
Sources said ICC would conduct 18 tournaments during this phase with two cricket World Cups, at least three Champions Trophies and the first two Twenty20 world championships.
Therefore , out of respect, other teams should not be allowed to beat India in order to sustain the popularity of the game in the country and to pile on the moolah.
Indian board needs to work on their domestic infrastructure once again, I think there is a need for overhauling in some areas.
They are just not producing International calibre cricketers.
OK, wait a minute. My statement can be proven partially wrong. If we look back at the discovery of Sehwag (The young Tendz), Pathan (The next Wasim Akram), Sreesanth (The next Pollock) and VRR Sing (The new Waqar Younis). What happened to them. Looks like after some time their class faded. Or there was no class from the begining, just the hype hiding major technical flaws/limitations?
I think India and sub-con in general also need to refine their process of filteration. We need to bring forward 15 year olds who play all types of bounce with ease on cement pitches. On the same line, all the watta bowlers must be dropped from school cricket and should not get into U16. Also media needs to calm down with their unneccessary hyper coverage that make pedistrian level wicket keeper like Dhoni a 45 corer super star, who cannot collect ball a feet away from his body.
Across the border, Akhtar and Afridi are big examples of such hype. Sometimes these cricketers cannot handle fame and money.
All this money must be an added pressure for the Indian players. Indian fans can use this as an excuse for future losses.
Who says it's easy to be a rich man's son. :-D
BCCI has the money but what good use is that money if the BCCI does n’t invest it to improve domestic infrastructure and facilities at cricket grounds. India are still struggling to produce world-class seamers.
