The BCCI today claimed to have became a ‘‘billion-dollar property’’ after it awarded the global media rights for all matches to be played by India on neutral venues non-ICC member countries to Zee Telefilms Limited for 219.15 million. “With this deal, BCCI revenues for the next five years will go beyond a billion dollars 1.52 billion,” said Lalit Modi, vice-president and chairman of marketing sub-committee, BCCI, in New Delhi. The BCCI’s cash bag now includes global media rights: 612.18m, sponsorship chest and leading arm: 70m, sponsorship non-leading arm and team kit: 27.12m and media rights neutral venues:219.15m.

TODAY’S BID

Zee bid around Rs 985 crore for five years—from April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2011—during which they will show a minimum of 25 matches. They get TV, radio and internet rights in non-ICC member countries where the matches will be played.

THE COMPETITION

Nimbus quoted 200.07m, Sahara 176.2m and ESPN-Star Sports 71.5m

THE VENUES

Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Holland, England Lords, Oval and Birmingham, Toronto, USA New York and Tristate Area, Houston, Chicago, Palo Alto and Bay area, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur. Stadiums will need to have a minimum seating

capacity of 18,000

THE MATCHES

Apart from Pakistan, India will play Australia, West Indies and England at these venues. The first would be the two one-dayers against Pakistan to be played in Abu Dhabi on April 18 038; 19.

AND MORE

Coming soon: ground sponsorship and tile sponsorship

in March