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| Thursday, 29 July 2004 |
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SLC to finalise goldmine TV deal by Sa'adi Thawfeeq Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is on the verge of signing up a lucrative television and broadcasting deal for the next four years beginning January 1, 2005. ARY, a London based company has come up with the best offer to televise all international matches played in Sri Lanka for the next four years till 2008. SLC cricket chief Mohan de Silva said that SLC were able to get such a high offer because of the floor price of US$33.2 million offered by Taj Television, the present TV broadcasting company contracted to SLC. "When we went into the open market with this offer there was response from eight companies, four of them broadcasters. ARY came up with the best offer of US$48 million," said De Silva. "According to the bidding process Taj Television who had obtained matching rights will be given the opportunity to match the highest bid before we finalise the deal," he said. De Silva said that six months ago the best offer SLC got was a mere US$1.5 million for three years. "That was at a time when SLC were a bit unstable and were not on a good financial footing. However we were able to include into our international home itinerary three tours by India which eventually boosted the figures three fold," said De Silva. "It is an unparalleled offer which only a country like India can match," he said. SLC are also fighting a court case for US$7 million brought against them by WSG Nimbus for premature termination of contract. India are due to come to Sri Lanka in 2005 and 2006 to play in two one-day triangular tournaments when West Indies and South Africa respectively are due to tour the country and, again in 2008 for a full tour of three Tests and five-one day internationals. During the four-year period there will be 11 tours to this country involving 27 Tests and 39 One-day Internationals. "The entire bid process has been handled by SJMS Associates and the SLC's cricket lawyers Messrs D.N. Thurairajah and Company in a very professional manner," said De Silva. "We are currently in the process of assessing the credibility and financial rankings of the highest offerer in order to re-establish the authenticity of the bid." he said. De Silva said the contract will be finalised by mid-August. |
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