ESPN Star Sports has bagged the telecast rights of Afro Asia cup after
Nimbus bagged out of the deal citing absence of big names in the tournament.
Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has awarded the worldwide rights for telecasting
the second edition of Afro Asia Cup to ESPN Star Sports, the company
said in a statement here.
The deal includes exclusive global television broadcast rights of the tournament
in addition to title, on-ground and commercial rights, it said.
However, the company declined to reveal the value of the deal.
Due to Nimbus' non-fulfilment of contractual obligations, ACC has cancelled
its contract and has now awarded rights to ESPN Star Sports, the statement said.
The Afro-Asia Cup will be held in Bangalore and Chennai in June
2007.
The broadcaster also has exclusive telecast rights for the next Asia Cup
to be played in May 2008 in Pakistan. ESPN Star Sports has recently bagged
the coveted International Cricket Council (ICC) global telecast and marketing
rights until 2015 as well.
According to reports, Nimbus Sports, had bought the rights for three editions
of the tournament, first played in 2005 in South Africa, for 12 million dollars.
"We will not be part of the event in any way," Nimbus chief Harish
Thawani said. "We will not be telecasting the event. Neither will we
be producing nor bringing sponsorship for the matches."
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