da casino： A complex television dispute that could have jeopardised coverage of England’s tour to Sri Lanka now looks to be nearing a settlement following thedecision by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to call for “expressions of interest”from companies interested
Wisden CricInfo Staff19-Sep-2003A complex television dispute that could have jeopardised coverage of England’s tour to Sri Lanka now looks to be nearing a settlement following thedecision by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to call for “expressions of interest”from companies interested in securing television, sponsorship andbroadcasting rights for a new three-year period starting from 01 January2004.The SLC announcement on Friday morning means that the current three-yearcontract with Dubai-based Taj Television, which had previously beendescribed as "null and void" by cricket officials, will not run for its fullduration. The contract, signed in 2001 by a government appointed interimcommittee, had included tours to Sri Lanka by Australia and South Africa in2004.However, it is unclear whether the contract period was reduced withagreement from Taj Television, or whether the current contract will berecognised for the forthcoming England tour in November. The cricket hadbeen considering a one-tour agreement with Singapore-based WSG Nimbus toreduce a potential multiple-million dollar payout.A Singapore court had ruled earlier in the year that WSG Nimbus were duefinancial damages after Sri Lanka Cricket (previously known as the BCCSL)had "unlawfully" terminated a three-year broadcasting and sponsorshipcontract in 2001. WSG Nimbus claimed USD $ 18 million according to boardsources. The court will announce the exact damages to be paid shortly.Once the damages are announced, the cricket board will finalise ongoingdiscussions with both WSG Nimbus and Taj Television. The objective will be asolution that minimizes the potential financial losses and future liability.The board will be walking a tightrope: awarding rights to WSG Nimbus for thelucrative England series may reduce their damages claim but that is alsolikely to prompt a legal battle with Taj Television.An amicable comprimise with Taj Television – an organisation that has strongconnections with Sri Lanka cricket because of the CBFS-organised tournamentsin Sharjah – remains a possibility. They though are unlikely to considerdropping their claim to the England tour, which is already being advertisedand is by far the most valuable tour in the three-year contract period.