Commentary or BCCI-IPL roles: World Cup TV experts face choice

[Abdullah719]

The Star Sports panel of experts for the World Cup is expected to see a shake-up with the BCCI all set to give the stars two weeks to choose between commentary assignments and their official positions with the board and IPL franchises. Even active cricketers, either for India or the IPL, have been barred from being employed as commentators by the broadcasters.

The Indian Express has learnt that the BCCI’s Ethics Officer, D K Jain, in an order passed on an internal conflict-of-interest complaint, has questioned the presence of stars like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, V V S Laxman, Harbhajan Singh and close to 20 other former and current cricketers in the commentary box for the ongoing tournament in England.

It is learnt that Jain ruled that the experts were flouting the Supreme Court-appointed Justice R M Lodha panel recommendations on conflict of interest as they were holding multiple positions in the BCCI or IPL.

Stressing on the “one person, one position” principle, Jain has ruled that Ganguly, who is the Delhi Capitals mentor, Cricket Advisory Committee member, Star Sports commentator and Cricket Association of Bengal chief, can be seen only in one role.

Similarly, Tendulkar and Laxman can either be in the Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad dugouts, respectively, or be a part of the Star Sports commentary team.
With the order covering current players, those like Harbhajan, Parthiv Patel, Irfan Pathan and Manoj Tiwary can wield the mike only after they retire.

The complainant, Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association member Sanjeev Gupta, has called Jain’s order “astounding”. “This said order today dated 20.06.19 has set the precedent/ benchmark for every individual associated with BCCI/ every state unit/ IPL/ TV broadcaster, production etc & every BCCI member & every administrator of BCCI & all state unit administrators & every employee and every contractual person of BCCI & all state units, etc., to 100 per cent comply (with) the law of the land,” he said in a statement.

https://indianexpress.com/article/s...rest-sachin-tendulkar-sourav-ganguly-5791633/

 

[cricketjoshila]

The order only makes sense for Current cricketers and Ganguly.

Laxman and Tendulkar are not bcci employees. How can they be asked to not commentate?

I hope the order by ombundsman is challenged in the courts.

 

[Gabbar Singh]

BCCI has an ethics officer? What next I wonder, Cricket Australia hiring a good sportsmanship officer.

 

[Revolution]

COA is doing right things. Respect them.

 

[CricketIsAwesome]

Respect for BCCI in trying to do it right. Corporate commercial exploitation is already at its peak

 

[jagatk]

How dumb do these idiots get. How is it any problem for anyone if currently active players commentate on games. One person one position is ok if you are talking conflict of interest or any actual bcci jobs, why should it apply to players. Dumb move from idiots in CoA, but then not really unexpected.

 

[jagatk]

Respect for BCCI in trying to do it right. Corporate commercial exploitation is already at its peak

So active players on verge of retirement voluntarily doing a comm job is now exploitation?

 

[Revolution]

Rules is Rules for everyone. Law stands first and then people.

 

[Kaptan]

Great move. Current players or coaches should never do commentary, neither they should come as experts on news channels, its a recipe for disaster.
One of the reason for instability in Pakistan cricket is current players/coaches giving too interviews/expert opinion.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

How dumb do these idiots get. How is it any problem for anyone if currently active players commentate on games. One person one position is ok if you are talking conflict of interest or any actual bcci jobs, why should it apply to players. Dumb move from idiots in CoA, but then not really unexpected.

My thoughts really.

Honestly, addressing an issue no one cares about.

Tho I don't oppose this move per se. I am indifferent to it until someone can point out a good reason for this move.

 

[CricketIsAwesome]

So active players on verge of retirement voluntarily doing a comm job is now exploitation?

There is a difference between being on the verge vs actually retired. Same reason you are not allowed to have two concurrent jobs on most occupations, primarily because it is "conflict of interest". If they feel that being commentators is a better option, put in your papers, problem resolved.

 

[jagatk]

There is a difference between being on the verge vs actually retired. Same reason you are not allowed to have two concurrent jobs on most occupations, primarily because it is "conflict of interest". If they feel that being commentators is a better option, put in your papers, problem resolved.

Actually you can do 2 concurrent jobs, if you take on a second part time job on weekends there is nothing your employer can do about it. What you do in your free time is none of his business and no court in the world is going to make it his business. Also what exactly is this conflict?

Cricket is a seasonal job, bhaji for example only plays ipl. There is nothing Chennai can do if he wants to commentate when ipl ain't on, if ipl or Chennai go to court over it, the judge will slap their for that. That is the law of the land.

 

[Itachi]

Actually you can do 2 concurrent jobs, if you take on a second part time job on weekends there is nothing your employer can do about it. What you do in your free time is none of his business and no court in the world is going to make it his business. Also what exactly is this conflict?

Cricket is a seasonal job, bhaji for example only plays ipl. There is nothing Chennai can do if he wants to commentate when ipl ain't on, if ipl or Chennai go to court over it, the judge will slap them. That is the law of the land.

No. You can't do two concurrent jobs even in weekends if your agreement with your employer says so.

You'll have to provide NOC from the main employer if you want to do so.

 

[sshakir411]

They will eventually end up compromising and letting these guys commentate for Indian series

 

[CricketIsAwesome]

Actually you can do 2 concurrent jobs, if you take on a second part time job on weekends there is nothing your employer can do about it. What you do in your free time is none of his business and no court in the world is going to make it his business. Also what exactly is this conflict?

Cricket is a seasonal job, bhaji for example only plays ipl. There is nothing Chennai can do if he wants to commentate when ipl ain't on, if ipl or Chennai go to court over it, the judge will slap them. That is the law of the land.

Cricket maybe a seasonal job but your employment necessarily isn't. Its the contract that decides what you can and cant do including multiple jobs. If BCCI is going after these folks then it must have a valid legal reason to pursue this.

regardless why is it so hard. You choose the job youw ant and quit the other one or choose multiple jobs with no binding contratcs

 

[cricketjoshila]

No. You can't do two concurrent jobs even in weekends if your agreement with your employer says so.

You'll have to provide NOC from the main employer if you want to do so.

IPL is for 6 weeks. Vvs is a mentor for Hyderabad. He is a employee of the Sun Tv networks which owns Hyderabad team. He is not a employee of Bcci, then how can bcci ask him to not commentate. Same goes for Sachin.

Regarding Ganguly, he holds the honorary post of CAB President. So while being mentor of the Delhi team may be a conflict, how can he commentating in England on behalf of Star Sports, which is a Walt Disney subsidiary be a conflict?

This is stupidity of the highest order.

 

[ak619]

Actually you can do 2 concurrent jobs, if you take on a second part time job on weekends there is nothing your employer can do about it. What you do in your free time is none of his business and no court in the world is going to make it his business. Also what exactly is this conflict?

Cricket is a seasonal job, bhaji for example only plays ipl. There is nothing Chennai can do if he wants to commentate when ipl ain't on, if ipl or Chennai go to court over it, the judge will slap their for that. That is the law of the land.

Incorrect. Most, if not all employment contracts will have a clause barring the employee from moonlighting.

In most countries, you can't hold two formal jobs at the same time.

 

[Revolution]

I have respect for Sachin(god for me) and VVS.

They were part of CAC committee when picked Ravi as coach. COA had requested ex players to join BCCI administration to take to next level.

COA doing his job. Without COA BCCI might have become srini camp.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Incorrect. Most, if not all employment contracts will have a clause barring the employee from moonlighting.

In most countries, you can't hold two formal jobs at the same time.

IPL contracts are of 6 weeks duration.

 

[Revolution]

Gary Kirsten was the top choice for women coach but he was not ready to break IPL contract with RCB.

 

[jagatk]

Incorrect. Most, if not all employment contracts will have a clause barring the employee from moonlighting.

In most countries, you can't hold two formal jobs at the same time.

You won't be allowed to do another job that affects your first job but there is no way to stop anyone from from doing something parttime, no court would actually allow that clause to be enforced. It is like your non compete clause, common sense needs to prevail as going too strict will see that clause stricken, which is the case here.

The players in this case would never be allowed to commentate during ipl or ranji but when it's not being played, you cannot stop player from getting a comm gig,

 

[big_gamer007]

IPL teams are private and if they allow any mentor to commentate what jurisdiction does BCCI have? This is most bizarre by BCCI.

Which current cricketer with bcci contract is commentating anyways?

Ganguly can be barred yes since he's Bengal cricket employee.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Don't really see a problem with Laxman and Tendulkar commentating on international cricket while holding consulting/advisory roles at the IPL. It seems heavy-handed and I don't really think that their objectivity is affected as such when they are commentating.

Ganguly is a different story. There's no way he should be allowed to commentate or even hold an IPL post while also serving as a high-profile state administrator.

 

[Bewal Express]

The order only makes sense for Current cricketers and Ganguly.

Laxman and Tendulkar are not bcci employees. How can they be asked to not commentate?

I hope the order by ombundsman is challenged in the courts.

I agree,it makes no sense.