Zee to move court on cricket rights

Zee Telefilms is likely to move court against the Board for Control of Cricket in India after a Madras High Court judgment termed improper the cancellation of the tender process by the board for the telecast of cricket matches.

"We can now sue the board for damages. We are discussing the matter with our management and legal advisers," Ashish Kaul, vice-president, corporate brand development group, and the company's spokesperson, told Business Standard.

He added that actions would be initiated only after the court judgment was available to the company. "Let us first get a copy of the judgment," he said.

"The high court verdict is reiteration of what we have always been saying there is a clear nexus between the cricket board and ESPN," said Kaul.

"We are discussing this (the issue of compensation) with our legal advisers and the board of directors will take a decision soon," he said.

Zee was initially granted the telecast rights for $308 million before the board decided to cancel the bidding process after ESPN-Star challenged the decision in court last year.