PAKISTAN CRICKET BOARD (PCB) is reportedly on the verge of concluding the most lucrative commercial agreement in the history of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). According to The Express Tribune, a four-year media rights deal worth approximately PKR 18 billion is currently under consideration.
The upcoming PSL season is scheduled to commence on 26 March. The league’s steady growth has significantly enhanced its media valuation, despite a scheduling overlap with the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the second consecutive year, a clash that could once again affect the availability of overseas players.
The PCB recently invited bids for the new four-year broadcast cycle but disqualified two leading sports channels after they failed to clear outstanding dues. Although additional time was granted, the broadcasters were unable to settle their liabilities, reportedly amounting to PKR 4.7 billion and over PKR 600 million respectively.
As per The Express Tribune, a company that already owns a PSL franchise has emerged as the frontrunner with a bid of PKR 4.5 billion per year, taking the total proposed value to PKR 18 billion across four seasons. If finalised, it would represent the most expensive broadcast agreement in PSL history.
Matches are expected to be aired on Pakistan Television (PTV), the country’s state broadcaster.
In a move aimed at ensuring transparency and fair competition, the PCB has revised its bidding regulations, prohibiting broadcasters from forming consortiums to prevent potential collusion.
The upcoming cycle will also see the PSL expand from 34 to 44 matches per season following the addition of two new teams. The ten-match increase per edition brings the value of the proposed four-year agreement broadly in line with the league’s previous five-year contract.
Under PCB regulations, any broadcast deal exceeding PKR 3 billion triggers a surplus-sharing mechanism. From the additional revenue, USD 500,000 will be allocated towards signing high-profile overseas players. The remaining surplus will be distributed with 80 per cent going to the PCB and 20 per cent to the franchises.
