The IPL 2020, which was plunged into uncertainty with COVID-19 pandemic wreaking havoc in India, is now all set to be held in UAE.
While the Governing Council of the league will meet next week only after they receive a clearance from the Indian government to stage the tournament overseas, the IPL chairman Brijesh Patel on Friday (July 24) confirmed that they have zeroed in on a 51-day window from September 19 to November 8 for the T20 league.
With this development, the question now arises whether or not the UAE authorities will allow fans to come in. And while the BCCI has left it to the host country, entry of fans also means ticket revenue generation.
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Speaking to IANS, sources in the know of developments said that in a meeting of the franchises with BCCI officials, a young face of a franchise known to be close to a board official raised the issue of compensation for ticket revenue.
"The issue was raised by a young individual who is known to be close to an official about compensation for ticket revenue. But all the others present stressed that ticket revenue was the least of everyone's concerns and what was important was that the IPL season actually takes place this year.
"In this background, it is surprising that some minority shareholders of a franchise are seeking to stir up the issue. People have suggested that it was not entirely unexpected and it is a cry for attention which is consistent with past behaviour which has sometimes been quite the headache for the IPL," the source pointed.
At this point in time, the BCCI is only concerned about the successful hosting of the tournament.
"I do not think it makes financial sense for the BCCI to do so (compensate for lack of ticket revenue). The franchises would earn approximately Rs 200 crore each as rights money which otherwise they wouldn't have. I am sure they would not be happy to forego that in lieu of the ticket revenue. The IPL is happening this year but it is only with the support of the franchises and the state associations that it seems probable," a BCCI official told IANS.
Endorsing the same views, a franchise official said all efforts should be made to ensure that the 13th edition of IPL is a huge success.
"We are really excited to see the effort that the BCCI has put in to ensure that the 13th edition is not cancelled. We are not just thankful, but also wish to work in tandem. You cannot forget that while the franchises will reap the rewards of the IPL being held, a lot of domestic cricketers will be a part of the league. They wait through the year for this tournament. Cricketing and financial gain goes hand in hand.
"And not just that, quite a bit of the money that comes in with the IPL is also used by the BCCI for development of domestic cricket and ensuring that even those who do not play the IPL can make ends meet, an idea that has been time and again backed by India skipper Virat Kohli.
"There have been a few discussions here and there wherein a couple of franchises have raised the topic of ticket revenue, but at the end of the day, we would rather have an IPL than worry about how much money we are making this time round," the franchise official told IANS.
Another official entertained the thought of allowing fans in the stadium, but that is purely to give players the motivation.
"We have some die-hard fans across the globe and the IPL means top Indian players in action. That way, we would love to have fans come in. That would further boost the spirits of the players. But we are not thinking about gate money," the official pointed.
