IPL hopes to resolve sponsorship issue with Cricket Australia
Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi is confident that IPL's differences with Cricket
"This (protection of Cricket "The players' auction is to be held between Februay 18 and 22. Tomorrow all franchise owners will be introduced to venues, associations, marketing guidelines, sponsors and promotional events of the IPL," Modi said. "The emphasis at the meeting will be on the players' auction," said Modi, who is also the vice president of the Cricket Board under whose auspices the IPL is being held. The League will have four iconic Indian players - Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh - who will play for their respective city-based franchisee teams. They would be paid an amount which will be a percentage over and above what the highest-bidded player would receive in their team. Modi brushed aside concerns that the top Australian players will not be available to play in the IPL as they would be busy in international assignments when the League is held in April-May. "There are other teams' players. It may not be possible for all contracted Australian players to play in the IPL this year. But Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist will be playing," he said.
Modi pointed out that no such issue arises when the Australian cricketers play in English county.
"When the Australian cricketers play in county cricket, they (sponsors of CA) don't get protection," Modi emphasised.
Modi was confident that Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, who is set to retire at the end of the ongoing triangular series Down Under, would be seen in action in the IPL though there's a tournament clause that he can take part only after two years after quitting the game.
"He will need a No Objection Certificate (from CA) but if need be we will remove that clause," Modi said.
Two other retired Australian legends - Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath - have already been signed up by the IPL.
The base price for IPL-contracted players who will be auctioned to the eight franchisees later this month has been fixed at USD 3.3 million and the maximum price would be USD 5 million, Modi said.
The IPL on Wednesday appointed Sundar Raman, who was MD of media buying house MindShare, as its Chief Executive Officer.
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