The two Indian Premier League (IPL) teams affected by the Bombay High Court verdict to shift matches out of drought-hit Maharashtra - Mumbai Indians and Rising Pune Supergiants - were on Friday presented with options in a crucial meeting in New Delhi.
While Pune opted for Vishakapatnam, Mumbai told IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla that it would revert on Sunday.
Shukla, who conducted the meeting, had given the teams four venues - Raipur, Jaipur, Vishakapatnam (Vizag) and Kanpur - to choose from as their alternate home base. This came even as he proposed Bengaluru for the IPL final on May 29 (which was to be played in Mumbai earlier), in keeping with the high court verdict. Bengaluru is also hosting the first qualifier on May 24.
The eliminator and second qualifier, which were to be held in Pune on May 25 and May 27, respectively, will be played in Kolkata instead.
When contacted, an official from the Rising Pune Supergiants said, "We have chosen Vishakapatnam for the four matches that would have to be played in a venue outside Maharashtra in May."
Officials from Mumbai Indians, who have three home matches to play in May, were not immediately available for their comments.
But, sports experts say the impact on the teams will be restricted to gate revenues for now though team-level sponsors might take a call next year if venues shift like this. "This year, sponsorships have been locked; so, nothing can be done if venues are changed. But, there is certainly an immediate impact on gate revenues," said Hitesh Gossain, an independent sports expert, who was earlier with Percept Talent, the celebrity and sports management arm of the Percept Group.
Mumbai Indians' gate revenues last year were around Rs 40 crore for seven games, the highest among franchisees, say industry sources. Per match, the average gate revenue worked out to Rs 5.8 crore. Assuming Mumbai Indians makes the same amount this year, the revenue loss for three matches will be around Rs 17 crore, according to sources in the know. The revenue loss for the Pune franchise could not be ascertained immediately.
Interestingly, the Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) and the Maharashtra Cricket Association are expected to move an application in the Bombay High Court on Saturday asking that the May 1 match to be played in Pune be permitted to be held in the city since the home franchise will be playing a game in Pune on April 29.
The BCCI and the Maharashtra Cricket Association are expected to highlight what a logistical nightmare it will be if the venue is shifted on May 1.
While Pune opted for Vishakapatnam, Mumbai told IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla that it would revert on Sunday.
Read more from our special coverage on "IPL"
Shukla, who conducted the meeting, had given the teams four venues - Raipur, Jaipur, Vishakapatnam (Vizag) and Kanpur - to choose from as their alternate home base. This came even as he proposed Bengaluru for the IPL final on May 29 (which was to be played in Mumbai earlier), in keeping with the high court verdict. Bengaluru is also hosting the first qualifier on May 24.
The eliminator and second qualifier, which were to be held in Pune on May 25 and May 27, respectively, will be played in Kolkata instead.
When contacted, an official from the Rising Pune Supergiants said, "We have chosen Vishakapatnam for the four matches that would have to be played in a venue outside Maharashtra in May."
Officials from Mumbai Indians, who have three home matches to play in May, were not immediately available for their comments.
But, sports experts say the impact on the teams will be restricted to gate revenues for now though team-level sponsors might take a call next year if venues shift like this. "This year, sponsorships have been locked; so, nothing can be done if venues are changed. But, there is certainly an immediate impact on gate revenues," said Hitesh Gossain, an independent sports expert, who was earlier with Percept Talent, the celebrity and sports management arm of the Percept Group.
Mumbai Indians' gate revenues last year were around Rs 40 crore for seven games, the highest among franchisees, say industry sources. Per match, the average gate revenue worked out to Rs 5.8 crore. Assuming Mumbai Indians makes the same amount this year, the revenue loss for three matches will be around Rs 17 crore, according to sources in the know. The revenue loss for the Pune franchise could not be ascertained immediately.
Interestingly, the Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) and the Maharashtra Cricket Association are expected to move an application in the Bombay High Court on Saturday asking that the May 1 match to be played in Pune be permitted to be held in the city since the home franchise will be playing a game in Pune on April 29.
The BCCI and the Maharashtra Cricket Association are expected to highlight what a logistical nightmare it will be if the venue is shifted on May 1.