Government halts PCB from selling media rights

The government has prohibited the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) from proceeding with the sale of media rights, mandating approval for every major decision. 

The management committee of PCB has been restricted to handling only day-to-day affairs, leading to a standstill on critical matters. With the Pakistan Super League (PSL) scheduled for February, the delay in media rights negotiations has raised concerns.

The government's intervention came in the form of a letter to the board officials, demanding prior approval before initiating any significant actions. Anxiety has gripped the board, fearing potential delays if the Prime Minister's approval is required for every decision. 

The PSL media rights sale, crucial for the league's success, has hit a roadblock as the government expresses reservations over long-term agreements.

PCB has been directed to focus on short-term contracts, over which it retains authority, with the government emphasizing objections to extended commitments. To resume progress on PSL, including broadcasting, the board must seek permission through all available channels. This has resulted in the halt of 7 to 8 tenders related to the league's operations.

Concerns are growing over the potential decrease in the value of PSL media rights due to the prolonged delay. The board, responsible for assessing initial technical and financial bids, is now hindered by the government's strict approval process. The uncertainty has also prevented the release of the PSL 9 schedule, as the cricket board insists it can only be finalized after the successful sale of media rights.

It is noteworthy that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) anticipates generating revenue in the range of 8 to 10 billion rupees from the sale of media rights for both the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and international cricket.