Cricket’s global administrative body, ICC, is all set to float tenders for the media rights of events that are organised under its banner.

While IPL cricket media rights tender, floated recently, is likely to create a mad rush for the rights and turn out to be a money-spinner for the Indian cricket board BCCI — some say it can fetch rights owners up to $ 7 billion — the ICC rights could be quite modest in comparison.

The media rights, estimated to be valued a shade under $2 billion, would be for the period 2023-31, but are expected to increase in value if the bidding is intense and stiff — considering there’s a tantalising prospect of India and Pakistan playing each other in international tournaments, including the Champions Trophy.

According to a report in insidesport.in on Saturday, two top ICC executives — VP of Broadcast Rights Sunil Manoharan and Chief Commercial Officer Anurag Dahia — met recently the representatives of some of the Indian broadcasters interested in the rights.

The potential bidders for the ICC cricket media rights could be some of the usual suspects like Sony Pictures Networks India, Disney/Star, FanCode, Viacom18 (majority owned by Reliance Industries) and Amazon. Dark horses too could emerge in the form of Apple and Meta (Facebook), especially the former as sports is one genre of content that can help Apple+ to make inroads into the Indian market and something that the company is experimenting with in the US having picked up some basketball properties.

ICC, unlike the BCCI, will allow joint bids for broadcast and digital rights, according to insidersport.in.

It has also been reported that some of the potential Indian broadcasters, who have the financial muscle, had earlier expressed reservations on the match timings of 2024 T20 World Cup that’s to be played in the US and the Caribbean and which may not suit viewers in India due to the time difference.

Insidesport.in report stated that ICC executives allayed the fears of the broadcasters, adding that matches would be scheduled to suit preferred Indian viewing time.

As ICC has scheduled one multi-nation event every year, including the T20 World Cup, 50-Over World Cup, apart from Women’s World Cup and Champions Trophy, the basket will be larger than that of the last rights cycle.

Indian media industry sources told Indianbroadcastingworld.com, that ICC media rights are important for those interested in airing or streaming sports for Indian viewers as cricket is the most widely followed sport here and having other cricket properties, apart from IPL, helps in building a continuous year-long connect with the consumers.

ICC Appoints GM-Cricket: Meanwhile, former Chief Executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board Wasim Khan has been appointed as the ICC General Manager for Cricket. The International Cricket Council (ICC) in a press release confirmed the announcement on Friday.

Khan takes over as General Manager from Geoff Allardice, who served in the position for eight years before his recent promotion to ICC’s Chief Executive Officer.

Khan has previously served as Chief Executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Leicestershire County Cricket Club and Chance to Shine, and will take over the general manager duties from next month.

“I am honoured to be joining the ICC, I can’t wait to get started and work in partnership with our Members to strengthen and grow our sport,” Khan said after his appointment in a statement, adding, “I’m particularly excited by the ICC’s commitment to the growth of the women’s game.”