HC reserves order in BCCI-Sony case

After having directed BCCI not to enter into any fresh deal on IPL telecast rights, the Bombay High Court today reserved its order on a petition filed by broadcasting major Sony, challenging termination of its contract for T-20 broadcast with the cricket board.

Justice S J Kathawala made it clear that till the order is pronounced, BCCI shall not enter into any new agreements on broadcast rights.

BCCI, on March 15, had concluded a new contract for broadcast and other rights for the coming IPL season with World Sports Group (Mauritius), and terminated its earlier contract with Sony.

Sony obtained injunction from High Court the same afternoon, restraining BCCI from entering into contracts with third parties. However, the cricket body says that it concluded the contract with WSG before the injunction came.

Sony's lawyer Iqbal Chhagla refuted this claim, arguing that the notice of termination, given on Saturday, a non-working day, would have come into effect only on March 16 (Monday).

BCCI lawyer V Tulzapurkar contended that BCCI was earning much more because of the new agreement with WSG. He also said that the contract was terminated because of "quality of broadcasting" by Sony was "bad".

BCCI also alleged that insertion of graphics and advertisements by Sony led to blocking of view of play during telecast.