Under the deal, ESS has acquired the exclusive Global Commercial Rights for all the matches in the inaugural Champions League Twenty20 season, due to be held from December 3 to 10, 2008, and for all further Champions League Twenty20 seasons until 2017.
In a statement to the press, commissioner of the IPL, Lalit Modi, said: "We are absolutely delighted that after a fair and transparent process, we have what we believe to be the best commercial deal for the inaugural Champions League Twenty20 season and for cricket fans across the world. All the bids received were of a very high standard and we would like to thank all of the organisations that participated and for their submissions".
Bids were also received from Abu Dhabi Sports Club and DIC with the former’s disqualified for being a conditional bid. DIC’s bid is understood to have been $751.3 million.
The $900 million deal makes the Champions League Twenty20 the highest value cricket tournament on a per game basis.
