No political ads during IPL 2019: BCCI tells Star Sports

The Committee of Administrators (CoA) has rejected IPL broadcaster Star Sports' request of allowing political advertisement during the breaks of the matches. "Yes, there was a request from Star Sports but it was decided that no political advertisement will be allowed as it is election time. We understand that broadcasters want to increase their revenue but this is a policy decision that we have taken," a senior BCCI official privy to the development said. According to a report in the Indian Express, The broadcasters wanted Clause 8.6 (B) in the Media Rights Agreement to be waived off. With this clause removed, this would have paved the way for political and religious advertisements being aired during live and recorded matches.

In addition to rejecting the demand from the host broadcasters, there were several other issues discussed during the meeting. The BCCI said it will work with the National Anti-Doping Agency for the next six months, a major climbdown from its previous position of not adhering to the global anti-doping guidelines. The decision that was taken by the top BCCI office-bearers and Committee of Administrators (CoA) after a meeting with the International Cricket Council chairman Shashank Manohar, came with its share of riders. "It will be a six-month tripartite agreement between ICC, BCCI and NADA wherein the samples of our registered pool of players will be going to the National Dope Testing Labaratory (NDTL) through NADA, unlike now when Sweden-based IDTM does the sample collection. If we are not convinced, we won't renew the agreement," a senior BCCI official privy to development told PTI after the meeting.

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The Board has not yet intimated NADA about its stand. "I will only comment when I receive any written confirmation. I have not yet been officially intimated," NADA Director General Navin Agarwal said.    

The other discussion was regarding USD 22 million tax waiver for future global meets and the BCCI told Manohar about its payment plan. The World Anti-Doping Agency had clearly told the ICC that the BCCI has to come under NADA's ambit so that the world body remains compliant and the matter was intimated to the BCCI during the board meeting in Dubai.

-With PTI inputs-

HIGHLIGHTS

• Star Sports wanted to telecast political ads during the 2019 IPL games.
• Only the first two weeks of the IPL schedule has been announced.
• BCCI will work closely with NADA as they climbed down from their earlier stance of their anti-doping policy.