PKL 2021: Pro Kabaddi media rights tender in jeopardy

PKL 2021 – Pro Kabaddi media rights Tender: The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) media rights tender has been deferred. According to the information available with InsideSport.co the same has been done after a petition was filed in Delhi High Court challenging the PKL licensing contract between Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) and Mashal Sports (PKL promoter company). The petitioner has also challenged the right of Mashal Sports to conduct such a tender. The case is now up for hearing on April 8.

InsideSport reached out to Mashal Sports, though they admitted tender was deferred for few days but refused to speak on the petition filed in the high court. According to Mashal Sports spokesperson, tender is deferred because the request was recieved by the potential bidders.

“This was in response to requests that we received from potential bidder(s). Accordingly, as part of creating necessary comfort and confidence for the bidders, we have revised the deadline to purchase the ITT to 24 March (from 12 Mar), and submission of bidder documents to 12 Apr (from 2 Apr), and e-auction date to 15 Apr (from 5 Apr)”, confirmed the spokesperson of Mashal Sports.

PKL 2021 Media Rights Tender: The background of the issue

Mashal Sports, which has Star India as its majority shareholder, signed a 10 year-deal with AKFI to run, operate and promote the Pro Kabaddi League in India. The contract is in its 8th year now. The petitioner has alleged that the contract between both parties is invalid since the governing body is now controlled by a court-appointed administrator due to alleged irregularities in the functioning and its election process. There are also charges of financial misappropriation against the former AKFI Chief and few other officials.

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“When the contract period between Mashal Sports and AKFI is for 10 years, who gave the authority to Mashal Sports to conduct the tender beyond that contract period,” alleged the petitioner.

InsideSport.co put up a same query to Mashal Sports and this is what was their reply.

“Our Media Rights offering for ensuing 5 PKL Seasons (2021 – 2025) are based on the relevant rights and contractual frameworks”, explained Mashal Sports spokesperson.

During the last hearing on March 22, Senior Counsel Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Mashal Sports, requested the court that “an application which has been moved in W.P.(C) 8915/2019 titled K.P. Rao v. Union of India & Ors. would overlap with the reliefs sought in this writ petition which is listed before Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva. Ld. Senior Counsel appearing for the Petitioner submits that primarily, the said writ petition relates to alleged irregularities in the election process of AKFI.”

The matter will be heard on April 8 by Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva

PKL 2021 Media Rights Tender: When is the new season scheduled for?

Mashal Sports in February had issued an invitation to Tender (ITT) for the auction of media rights for the next five editions of the league. The deadline for buying the tender was March 12 while the clarification submission deadline was kept as March 17.

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The date for bid submission and evaluation was set for April 2. The shortlisted and eligible bidders were asked to subsequently place bids for one or more of the media rights packages — divided into four categories — through an e-auction process. It was expected that PKL will get its new media rights partner by April 4.

According to some industry reports, the base price of the PKL Media Rights tender was fixed at Rs 900 Crore. According to the information available with InsideSport, though various parties bought the tender document but not many parties had shown interest in bidding for the rights.

The 8th Season of PKL is likely to be start by June or July this year.

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