Pan-Asian broadcaster ESPN Star Sports has acquired the broadcast rights to the inaugural season of the Indian Badminton League competition, according to the Live Mint website.
An official announcement has not yet been made, but a senior IBL official confirmed the broadcast and digital rights have been sold, with a person close to the development adding that they had been awarded to ESPN Star Sports.
The IBL represents the latest attempt to transplant the successful business model of cricket’s Indian Premier League to another sport. Six franchises will compete in the inaugural season of the IBL, which will run from August 14-31.