25 September,2009 07:00 AM IST | | A Correspondent
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) sent out a stern warning to all the franchisees of the Indian Premier League yesterday.
This was a result of letters of support sent out by seven of the eight franchisees in favour of International Management Group, the event management company which helps organise IPL.
After resolving the dispute with the IMG, the Board deemed it fit to issue a strong statement asking the franchisees to 'keep out' of decision-making. 'We do not like any interference,''said BCCI chief Shashank Manohar.
This strong missive was enough to make the franchisees keep quiet and run for cover. None of the franchisees were willing to react to the BCCI's directive. 'Please keep us out of it,''was the common refrain.
Manohar's statement had the desired effect because no one wanted to antagonise the Board. It maybe recalled that the franchisees issued a letter of support after IMG was sacked by the BCCI for charging a higher fee than decided for organising IPL.
The row was finally resolved yesterday at the Board AGM with IMG agreeing to a reduced fee of 27 crore per year for the next eight years after having charged 33 crore last season.
