WATCHDOG: Competition Commission imposes Rs 52.24 crore fine on BCCI

THE COMPETITION COMMISSION (CCI) imposed a fine of Rs 52.24 crore on the BCCI for its anti-competitive practices with respect to the IPL media rights.

Earlier, the board was known to have been penalized Rs 52.24 crore in 2013. In the latest 44-page order, the CCI stated that the penalty of Rs 52.24 crore comes to nearly 4.48 percent of the average of the BCCI’s relevant turnover during the last three financial years.  The average turnover for three financial years – 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 is Rs 1,164.7 crore.

“The assessment of the Commission clearly brings out that the impugned clause in the IPL (Indian Premier League) Media Rights Agreement has been pursued by BCCI consciously to protect the commercial interest of the bidders of broadcasting rights as well as the economic interest of BCCI.”