PCB media rights values have already taken a big hit ever since India had declined to play bilateral series with its Western neighbour. The relations between the two nations have soured due to Pakistan establishment’s policy of harbouring and sponsoring terrorism and creating unrest in India.
The PCB had a joint deal with Ten Sports and PTV Sports worth a reported $ 149 mn for the previous 2015 to 2020 media rights cycle. The major values then came from the expected home series against India. Since, India called off the tours due to Government policies of not playing bilateral cricket with Pakistan, the PCB had to forego up to 80% of the total media rights deal.
Ever since the terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka cricket team bus in Lahore during the 2009 tour, no major cricket playing nation has visited Pakistan. Bilateral “home series” at offshore neutral venues have also hit PCB’s finances.
In a desperate bid to get desired values, the board led by veteran cricket administrator Ehsan Mani has sought a third-part support.
However, the media rights process is starting at time which is extremely far from favourable for sports business deals. Covid-19 pandemic has halted LIVE sports action worldwide. All expected resumption will be behind closed doors with no fans allowed to watch LIVE action.
In further depressing news for cricket, Cricket Sri Lanka and West Indies Cricket Board have failed to get desired response for their media rights offerings, despite floating the RFP several times.