The ICC board voted unanimously in favour of the bid during its meeting in Dubai – making ESPN Star Sports ‘global media and production partner for its audio-visual rights for ICC events from late 2007 to 2015’.
It replaces the previous agreement with the Global Cricket Corporation (GCC). That deal was worth $550m and included sponsorship rights for the years 2000-2007.
Included in the new eight-year period are 18 ICC tournaments with two ICC Cricket World Cups, in Asia (2011) and Australasia (2015), and a minimum of three ICC Champions Trophy tournaments.
Also included are the first two ICC Twenty20 World Championships, in South Africa (2007) and England (2009), the latter taking place in the ICC's centenary year.
And there are Cricket World Cup qualifiers, four ICC U/19 Cricket World Cups, and, for the first time, the Women's Cricket World Cup, with two tournaments scheduled for 2009 (Australia) and 2013 (India) in the eight-year timeframe.
ICC president Percy Sonn said: “We are absolutely delighted that, after an open and transparent process, we have what we believe to be the best deal for cricket.
“All the bids we received were of a very high standard and we would like to thank the unsuccessful organisations for their submissions.
“However, the board was unanimous in the view that the ESPN Star Sports bid was the best, and we believe all of our 97 members will gain significant benefit.
“The revenue that will come into the game as a result of this deal will ensure every one of those members will be able to plan for the future with certainty, allowing us to make our strong sport even stronger.”
Jamie Davis, managing director, ESPN Star Sports, said: “This acquisition affirms our commitment to the Indian sub-continent and the world and we are absolutely delighted to bring the exciting line-up of ICC events to millions of cricket fans globally.”
ESPN Star Sports is jointly owned by News Corporation and the Walt Disney Company.
