PCB decides to take strict action over PSL live streaming rights fiasco

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to take strict action in the matter of granting live streaming rights to a gambling company.

According to the Pakistan Super League (PSL)’s Project Executive Shoaib Naveed, the senior management will make an important announcement next month in this regard.

The matches of the PSL season five were broadcasted live on a foreign betting website, without the PCB’s permission.

“The media partners sold the live streaming rights to Bet365 which was not allowed under any circumstances. They should have sought permission from the PCB, which they would not have received under any circumstances, before making the deal. The advertisements are only displayed in countries that allow betting,” said Naveed.

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“Nothing like this had been discussed beforehand. When we became aware that the live stream of the PSL matches is currently active on a betting website, we sent notices to our media partner Tech Front and the website Bet 365 to stop the stream immediately. Our media partner has accepted the mistake but the PCB takes a strong stance on these matters. We should expect a decision from the senior management next month. Strict action can be taken in this regard,” he added.

Naveed claimed that the contract, with their media partners, states that the PCB is supposed to be notified in case a deal is made with any firm.

“The contract states that the PCB is supposed to be notified wherever the matches are being broadcasted. We were not told about the betting website. As soon as we found out, we sent notices immediately. We have a zero-tolerance policy in these matters,” he said.

It should be noted that the contract with the website was for $1 million for a duration of three years. If there were no delays, then the PCB should have received around 50 per cent of the total amount. The PSL season five was left incomplete due to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. The PCB currently wants to hold the remaining matches at the end of the year.