Next two years crucial for PBL: BAI chief

“The agreement between the Licensee and BAI is for 10 years and we had initially calculated that the league wouldn’t be profitable till fifth year,” Sarma said. 

“So now our agreement with Star TV will come for renewal on the fifth year and only there after the league will be profitable. This is the third edition and so another two years there will be a bit of challenge. So for next two years probably we will have to be a bit defensive.”

Sarma, who was appointed the interim head following the sudden demise of former president Akhilesh Das Gupta in April, also reiterated that the pending court cases with Sporty Solutionz will have no bearing on the PBL 3, starting on December 23. 

“BAI’s dispute with Sporty Solutionz is strictly limited to claims and counter claims. I think franchises shouldn’t feel anyway disturbed or demotivated that some litigation is going on,” he said.

Sporty Solutionz had sought a stay on the PBL till the issue is settled and the hearing is scheduled for December 11.