ESPN STAR Sports bags commercial rights for Champions League Twenty20 till 2017; media observers uncomfortabe

Dubai: ESPN STAR Sports (ESS) has secured the 10-year commercial rights for the Champions League Twenty20.

The deal gives ESS exclusive global commercial rights for all the matches in the inaugural Champions League Twenty20 season, due to be held from 3 December to 10 December 2008, and for all further Champions League Twenty20 seasons until 2017.

ESS bid of $975 million for the rights, making the Champions League Twenty20 the highest value cricket tournament on a per game basis.

Bids had also been received from the Abu Dhabi Sports Club and DIC. While DIC's bid was $751.3 million, Abu Dhabi Sports Club's bid was disqualified for being conditional.

Lalit Modi, chairman and commissioner, Indian Premier League said, "We are absolutely delighted that after a fair and transparent process, we have what we believe to be the best commercial deal for the inaugural Champions League Twenty20 season and for cricket fans across the world. All the bids received were of a very high standard and we would like to thank all of the organisations that participated and for their submissions."

Manu Sawhney, managing director, ESPN STAR Sports said, "We're extremely pleased at having won the Global Commercial Rights to the new and exciting Champions League Twenty20. Through our television channels - ESPN, STAR Sports & STAR Cricket, our website, and our wireless platforms mobileESPN and STAR Sports Mobile, we are confident of taking the Champions League Twenty20 to new heights by working along with the various partners involved and are committed to setting new benchmarks in the broadcast and distribution, such that fans of this crowd-pulling format can look forward to an exciting time when the league begins this December."