Can Cricket Australia be compelled to alter the itinerary of India’s tour during the summer Down Under? Broadcast partner Seven West Media is initiating arbitral proceedings against the CA.
The broadcaster is contending that Australia’s white-ball series against India will clash with the Big Bash League. This will affect the top Australian players’ availability for the BBL and dilute the commercial value of the domestic professional league.
Seven West Media is initiating an independent arbitration to secure a cut in its media rights fees. The broadcaster, according to Sydney Morning Herald, has also informed the CA in writing about its move.
The legal dispute has come up at a time when the fund-starved cricket governing body is preparing for its biggest money-churning opportunity – the home series against India.
Seven reportedly claims to focus on CA’s decision to switch the white-ball series against India from January to the start of the season, the change of dates for the Tests, with only one Test before Christmas and the final Test finishing in mid-January when many people are back at work, and concerns over the depth of talent in the BBL and atmospherics of matches that will be held in hubs.
Seven had also threatened to go to the courts to terminate its A$450 million, six-year deal.
Pay television broadcaster Foxtel also has concerns about the BBL clashing with the India tour but it has left Seven to take the legal course. Foxtel reportedly does not want to lose the rights.
Seven, citing India series for a drop in the quality of the BBL from what was initially proposed by CA, has claimed that the scheduled A$75 million annual rights fee should be much cheaper.
CA had decided to axe the one-day international series against New Zealand in January. This can help increase top Australian players’ availability for the BBL. However, there are concerns that the players might take a break after being in the bubble for several months to focus on the Test tour of South Africa in February.
David Warner has already hinted at skipping the BBL due to the bubble fatigue after the tour of England and the Indian Premier League in the UAE.
CA has not formally released the revised fixtures for the BBL and international Summer Down Under. It is the response from the Queensland Government over bio-security issues because India is set to quarantine in the northern State.
The CA was compelled to change the BBL fixture from July in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
India are scheduled to fly to Australia from Dubai, where the Indian Premier League final is slated for November 10.