Sri Lanka Cricket have confirmed that they have signed an exclusivefour-year broadcasting and sponsorship deal with TEN Sports

Cricinfo staff18-Dec-2004Sri Lanka Cricket have confirmed that they have signed an exclusivefour-year broadcasting and sponsorship deal with TEN Sports. The agreementstarts in January 2005 and is estimated to be worth US$50million. TEN Sportsfirst signed with the board in 2001.The first tournament to be played under the new agreement will be the two-Testtour by the West Indies in July followed by a tri-nation series alsoincluding India in August. The agreement includes a minimum of 25 Tests and39 one-dayers.”We are extremely pleased to be associated with Ten Sports,” said Mohan deSilva, the president of the board. “They have been great supporters of Sri Lankan Cricket and the new agreement takes our relationship to a new level. I am sure Sri Lanka Cricket will benefit with the involvement of Ten Sports and the fans will love their quality coverage”.Ten Sports now hold broadcasting rights in Pakistan (in partnership withARY), Sri Lanka and West Indies (in partnership with BSkyB), as well as allcricket staged by the Cricketers Benefit Fund Series (CBFS) in Sharjah andMorocco.”Sri Lankan cricket has a special place in our hearts,” said Chris McDonald, the chief executive of Taj Television, the owners of Ten Sports. “We look forward to the continued and fantastic support we received from the board, players and the fans. The Sri Lankan team generates tremendous excitement with their skill and flair, and their marvellous performance in 2004 has placed themamongst one of cricketing world’s top sides.”TEN Sports had initially been outbid by ARY Digital during a bid processthat culminated in July. But they were able to secure the rights because ofa “matching rights” clause in their previous contract which allowed them tooutbid any competitor providing they upped the bid by an agreed percentage.The new deal represents a substantial jump in income for the Sri Lankaboard, which has been facing financial difficulties during the past twoyears because of a legal wrangle with WSG Nimbus. The stiff competition forthe rights – which include television, radio, internet, wireless andtitle-sponsorship rights – follows the announcement that the four-yearperiod, from January 2005, will include three tours by India.India are due to play in a triangular series in 2005 and 2006, as well asundertake a full Test and one-day tour in 2008. England and Australia, thetwo other most lucrative visitors, will also tour during the contractperiod.