Mumbai: Latest news coming in is that the government has urged BCCI to postpone the IPL, the BCCI has conveyed the same to the team owners and the IPL now will start from the 15th April, many other major global sporting events have been either canceled or postponed, the latest being the NBA’s ongoing season.
Maharashtra’s Health Minister Rajesh Tope questioning the safety of holding such a large-scale event during a public health crisis.“In the current situation, it is not possible to schedule an IPL match in a packed stadium. We want it to happen behind closed doors or postpone it for later. We all are of the view that IPL should not take place at this time. It is very dangerous to conduct the IPL in this situation,” Tope said.
The Delhi State Government has said, that Delhi will not host any IPL matches followed by the Karnataka Government not only IPL but all large gatherings.
The government had issued a fresh travel advisory and has canceled all visas till April 15th this will affect the travel plans of international players and foreign support staff.
Staring at his scenario, crores of rupees are at stake for the stakeholders in the IPL, Star Network and its advertisers, are now looking at a heavy loss of revenue. Postponing the match has a lot of implications in a term as of logistics and commercial interest, as most countries have their domestic calendars already chalked out.
MediaNews4u tried speaking to media Planners but none wanted to comment on the situation and the revenue loss.
Finally, we got a response from an industry source on the situation.
Visa Regulations
The press release said that India is not giving business and tourist visa till 15th April. All international IPL players, support staff and production crew are on a business visa. IPL without international players will not attract viewership and this can be a big blow to the advertisers and the broadcaster
Revenue loss for Star
Difficult to say the revenue loss for Star at this point in time. Am assuming Star Sports would have insured the matches and if IPL is called off or without international players, Star Sports is staring at a massive financial implication
Less number of footfalls
We cannot imagine a sport without spectators. Spectators in the ground are the lifeline of IPL and without them, it would be very passive and subdued IPL. Franchise owners will feel the pinch on gate collections for sure but even as a viewer the excitement of a high octane cricket match will be lost.
In Stadia Advertising
This is a small revenue stream for the franchise as compared to the sponsorship or money received from IPL central kitty. I am sure the franchise will be fine missing out on this part of the revenue as long as the other big revenue streams are protected.
