IPL to launch rights tender on July 17

The Board of Control for Cricket in India will launch a new tender for the next cycle of media rights for the Indian Premier League Twenty20 competition on July 17, according to various reports.

The rights will cover five editions of the IPL, from 2018 to 2022.

The BCCI launched an initial tender in September last year for broadcast rights covering 10 years, from 2018 to 2027, and digital rights covering five years, from 2018 to 2022.

However, the sales process stalled due to a legal challenge by the Supreme Court into the governance of the BCCI. The case ultimately led to Anurag Thakur and Ajay Shirke being removed as president and secretary of the BCCI, respectively, after failing to implement various reforms.

Last month, the BCCI announced it would launch a fresh tender on May 21 for a five-year rights period, but reports now place this launch date in July.

Sony Pictures Network India currently holds television rights to the IPL, while pay-television broadcaster Star India has digital and overseas rights to the IPL, aside from in the UK and the US.

Both deals are due expire at the end of the 2017 season, which is due to conclude on July 18.