PCB includes ‘wagering deal support’ in bid document for media rights consulting

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has included ‘wagering deal support’ in the bid document for media rights consulting services.

According to details, few days earlier, the board had released an advertisement to acquire the services of a media rights consultant. According to the requirements stated in the bid document, the consultancy company should have experience in dealing with media rights, sponsorship and wagering deal support.

The last date to submit a tender is May 14.

It was, earlier, reported that PCB gave their commercial rights to a company who then signed a deal with a foreign betting company for the now-suspended fifth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Bets were placed online from countries where the practice is legal, during the event. 

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However, the board later clarified that their global media rights partner, without following the due approval process, awarded the live streaming rights to a betting company. According to the PCB, it has taken up this issue with the media rights partner and correspondence in this regard is ongoing.

When contacted to comment on including ‘wagering deal support’ in the bid document, the PCB Director Media Sami Burney said: "Betting rights are never sold in Pakistan. PCB does not want to promote any kind of betting. The reason why we have written this clause in the bid document so that transparency is maintained and there is no confusion later. This will help our anti-corruption unit as well."

It must be noted that the company with the successful bid is likely to be paid a fee of US $50,000. The media rights consultancy will determine the value of the media rights deal for the 2020-2023 cycle and also work directly with the broadcasters.