PCB takes IMG Reliance to court in London [Update Post #168]

[cricket4all]

what tweet? can you post it here please?

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

what tweet? can you post it here please?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lights &#55357;&#56481;, camera &#55356;&#57253;, action &#55356;&#57260;! The historic venue of Sharjah Cricket Stadium &#55356;&#57311; getting ready to broadcast live action from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HBLPSL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HBLPSL</a> 2019, which resumes on Wednesday. <a href="https://twitter.com/MultanSultans?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MultanSultans</a> &#55358;&#56628;&#55356;&#57339; will take on <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamQuetta?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TeamQuetta</a> ⚔, with the match starting at 9 pm PST &#55357;&#56664;.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KhelDeewanoKa?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KhelDeewanoKa</a> <a href="https://t.co/FJ94e6b8wI">pic.twitter.com/FJ94e6b8wI</a></p>— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) <a href="https://twitter.com/thePSLt20/status/1097867666553999360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[cricket4all]

Thanks but I wish they release a statement on who's producing the coverage. Also, hope it's a wake up call to start there own production compnay training local talent going forward.

 

[Savak]

I am confused here. Plenty of Local Sports journalists are tweeting that TechnoFront and Blitz are taking over production. Doesn't make sense.

 

[MenInG]

Thanks but I wish they release a statement on who's producing the coverage. Also, hope it's a wake up call to start there own production compnay training local talent going forward.

Absolutely spot on.

 

[Savak]

Thanks but I wish they release a statement on who's producing the coverage. Also, hope it's a wake up call to start there own production compnay training local talent going forward.

The PCB seriously needs to think about opening their TV channel.

But what is stopping the numerous potential entreprenuers in Pakistan from starting a Sports Production Company following in the footsteps of Star Sports, Sony, Ten Sports, Sky Sports, ESPN, Super Sports, Channel 9? This is not the PCB's job, and there is a market for this in Pakistan.

 

[cricket4all]

Finally announced:


PakistanSuperLeague
‏Verified account @thePSLt20

PCB appoints new live production partner for #HBLPSL 2019

 

[Abdullah719]

PCB takes IMGR to London court, documents reveal

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has filed its claim for damages before the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) against Indian broadcaster IMG Reliance for pulling out from its contract to broadcast the 2019 Pakistan Super League (PSL) in the midst of the competition.

IMGR refused to work with the PSL following political tensions between Pakistan and India which involved activity at the border.

According to a PCB document, which are prepared to be presented before the Board of Governors (BoG) meeting scheduled for Nov 22 in Lahore, the case of damages was filed after receiving no reply from the IMGR against the legal notice sent to it on Oct 21, seeking compensation for the loss.

According to the documents seen by Dawn, the PCB has executed an agreement with IMGR for the provision of production services for the 2019 edition of the PSL.

After covering seven matches of the 2019 edition, IMGR suddenly informed PCB that it would not be continuing to provide production services any further for the remaining matches of the tournament and unilaterally terminated the production services agreement dated January 24, 2019.

“The breach of contract by IMGR could have resulted in the remaining PSL matches not being broadcast on television; this would have severely damaged the standing and reputation of the PSL. PCB was obliged to make alternative arrangements virtually overnight and at an increased cost,” the documents state.

Furthermore the PCB pleads: “A legal notice was sent to IMGR on 21st October, 2019 seeking compensation (amount of compensation is not mentioned in the documents) for such additional costs and damages for breach of contract within ten (10) days from the date of issuance (legal notice); however, only a holding response was submitted by IMGR and no detailed explanation given till the expiry of the deadline afforded to IMGR.

“As per clause 28.3 of the Agreement (reproduced below), disputes between the parties shall be referred to arbitration under London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA).

The rules state: “Unless otherwise stated herein, any and all disputes arising out of in connection with or in relation to this agreement, including any question regarding its existence, validity or termination, shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration under the LCIA Rules, which rules are deemed to be incorporated by reference into this clause 28.”

“PCB has now initiated arbitration proceedings and filed its claim for damages against IMGR before the LCIA.” ithe documents concluded.

The BoG will also approve the model constitution made for the newly introduced provincial cricket associations which were set up after abolishing departmental and regional teams. Under the new PCB constitution, it has introduced six provincial cricket associations namely, Sindh, KP, Balochistan, Northern, Central and Southern Punjab.

Though the PCB constitution has been binding the board to form the provincial cricket associations bodies, forthwith, the PCB could not implement it at yet.

Almost all the domestic cricket season has been completed for 2019-20 without provincial set up as the PCB has been directly organising the matches of the all the domestic cricket.

The new system of six provincial teams had deprived many cricketers, playing for almost 40 departments, having role in first-class and Grade-II cricket. It has also made jobless 243 ground staff and curators.

According to the PCB documents to be presented before the BoG members for approval, all cricket associations are required to adopt the model constitution provided by the board for regulating their affairs. Accordingly a draft of the Model Constitution has been prepared by PCB’s external legal counsels and finalised in close consultation with relevant PCB officials/Senior Management including the chairman, CEO, director domestic cricket Operations and SGM legal affairs.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1517494/pcb-takes-imgr-to-london-court-documents-reveal

 

[angrypathan]

Hope they actually win a case for once

 

[Bhaijaan]

PCB should win this case finally. They were cheated by Reliance.

Reliance if you are reading it let it be known that you are a disgrace and you have lost my respect.

Bhaijaan

 

[big_gamer007]

I think if the contract was full proof and covered all scenarios then PCB should win this case.

Only issue might be about jurisdiction of the court, would reliance play party to a case on London court when the PSL was supposed to be held in Dubai, and Reliance is an Indian company and PSL being Pakistani.

I am no lawyer so maybe someone with more knowledge can shed light on this.
[MENTION=76058]cricketjoshila[/MENTION] [MENTION=131867]London_Lahori[/MENTION]

 

[Bewal Express]

I think if the contract was full proof and covered all scenarios then PCB should win this case.

Only issue might be about jurisdiction of the court, would reliance play party to a case on London court when the PSL was supposed to be held in Dubai, and Reliance is an Indian company and PSL being Pakistani.

I am no lawyer so maybe someone with more knowledge can shed light on this.
[MENTION=76058]cricketjoshila[/MENTION] [MENTION=131867]London_Lahori[/MENTION]

It was probably in the contract that if there is a dispute then they would settle it in London. One of my ex students is a top Barrister in London and he told me that lots of Russian disputes are settled in London. He was part of the Abramovich case a few years back and made a lot of money out of it.

 

[Iqbal'sh]

I think if the contract was full proof and covered all scenarios then PCB should win this case.

Only issue might be about jurisdiction of the court, would reliance play party to a case on London court when the PSL was supposed to be held in Dubai, and Reliance is an Indian company and PSL being Pakistani.

I am no lawyer so maybe someone with more knowledge can shed light on this.
[MENTION=76058]cricketjoshila[/MENTION] [MENTION=131867]London_Lahori[/MENTION]

The article covers this:

The rules state: “Unless otherwise stated herein, any and all disputes arising out of in connection with or in relation to this agreement, including any question regarding its existence, validity or termination, shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration under the LCIA Rules, which rules are deemed to be incorporated by reference into this clause 28.”

 

[GBK_Fan]

The PCB should hopefully win this one. Reliance had no business pulling out of the contract. If you want to be an international business house, you cannot pander to narrow nationalistic voices

 

[Nov15]

Why did the PCB wait for this long before initiating arbitration? Seems Imran Khan is desperate to score a “win” against India. He prodded PCB to deny NOCs for T10 league citing “Indian ownership”.

Seems unlikely that a contract of this nature & size would’ve been ended without both parties reaching a termination agreement. PCB better not end up paying Reliance’s legal cost, like last time.

 

[Hawkeye]

Good to sue them in this case. Very unethical to pull out of the deal last minute, based on senseless political grounds and jingoism.

Should squeeze as much $$$$ as possible.

 

[Titan24]

It was definitely really unprofessional from IMG Reliance, court case or penalty aside surely they have damaged their image in the sports production and broadcasting industry.

 

[big_gamer007]

It was probably in the contract that if there is a dispute then they would settle it in London. One of my ex students is a top Barrister in London and he told me that lots of Russian disputes are settled in London. He was part of the Abramovich case a few years back and made a lot of money out of it.

The article covers this:

If that's the case then assuming PCB legal team did its job well while drafting the contract, PCB has a good chance of getting compensation.

 

[cricketjoshila]

I think if the contract was full proof and covered all scenarios then PCB should win this case.

Only issue might be about jurisdiction of the court, would reliance play party to a case on London court when the PSL was supposed to be held in Dubai, and Reliance is an Indian company and PSL being Pakistani.

I am no lawyer so maybe someone with more knowledge can shed light on this.
[MENTION=76058]cricketjoshila[/MENTION] [MENTION=131867]London_Lahori[/MENTION]

The contract states that seat of arbitration will be London, so it will be binding.

Its like when my company executes contracts with south asian countries, hongkong or Chinese companies, thr seat of arbitration is Singapore.

 

[cricketjoshila]

The PCB should hopefully win this one. Reliance had no business pulling out of the contract. If you want to be an international business house, you cannot pander to narrow nationalistic voices

That may be the case, but were there any clauses that allowed IMGR to escape?

 

[Muhammad Saad]

The only possible clause would be of war or close proximity of it which certainly didn't went that far. Pcb surely winning it.

 

[Savak]

I wonder what took the PCB so long to do this?

 

[msb314]

PCB takes IMGR to London court, documents reveal

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has filed its claim for damages before the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) against Indian broadcaster IMG Reliance for pulling out from its contract to broadcast the 2019 Pakistan Super League (PSL) in the midst of the competition.

IMGR refused to work with the PSL following political tensions between Pakistan and India which involved activity at the border.

According to a PCB document, which are prepared to be presented before the Board of Governors (BoG) meeting scheduled for Nov 22 in Lahore, the case of damages was filed after receiving no reply from the IMGR against the legal notice sent to it on Oct 21, seeking compensation for the loss.

According to the documents seen by Dawn, the PCB has executed an agreement with IMGR for the provision of production services for the 2019 edition of the PSL.

After covering seven matches of the 2019 edition, IMGR suddenly informed PCB that it would not be continuing to provide production services any further for the remaining matches of the tournament and unilaterally terminated the production services agreement dated January 24, 2019.

“The breach of contract by IMGR could have resulted in the remaining PSL matches not being broadcast on television; this would have severely damaged the standing and reputation of the PSL. PCB was obliged to make alternative arrangements virtually overnight and at an increased cost,” the documents state.

Furthermore the PCB pleads: “A legal notice was sent to IMGR on 21st October, 2019 seeking compensation (amount of compensation is not mentioned in the documents) for such additional costs and damages for breach of contract within ten (10) days from the date of issuance (legal notice); however, only a holding response was submitted by IMGR and no detailed explanation given till the expiry of the deadline afforded to IMGR.

“As per clause 28.3 of the Agreement (reproduced below), disputes between the parties shall be referred to arbitration under London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA).

The rules state: “Unless otherwise stated herein, any and all disputes arising out of in connection with or in relation to this agreement, including any question regarding its existence, validity or termination, shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration under the LCIA Rules, which rules are deemed to be incorporated by reference into this clause 28.”

“PCB has now initiated arbitration proceedings and filed its claim for damages against IMGR before the LCIA.” ithe documents concluded.

The BoG will also approve the model constitution made for the newly introduced provincial cricket associations which were set up after abolishing departmental and regional teams. Under the new PCB constitution, it has introduced six provincial cricket associations namely, Sindh, KP, Balochistan, Northern, Central and Southern Punjab.

Though the PCB constitution has been binding the board to form the provincial cricket associations bodies, forthwith, the PCB could not implement it at yet.

Almost all the domestic cricket season has been completed for 2019-20 without provincial set up as the PCB has been directly organising the matches of the all the domestic cricket.

The new system of six provincial teams had deprived many cricketers, playing for almost 40 departments, having role in first-class and Grade-II cricket. It has also made jobless 243 ground staff and curators.

According to the PCB documents to be presented before the BoG members for approval, all cricket associations are required to adopt the model constitution provided by the board for regulating their affairs. Accordingly a draft of the Model Constitution has been prepared by PCB’s external legal counsels and finalised in close consultation with relevant PCB officials/Senior Management including the chairman, CEO, director domestic cricket Operations and SGM legal affairs.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1517494/pcb-takes-imgr-to-london-court-documents-reveal

I am reading reports that PCB instructed Blitz and Trans Group (the media company which has broadcasted all of our matches since PSL 2019) to not outsource or involve IMG Reliance in any way for any matches moving forward as they are now blacklisted by the PCB. Is it true?

@Saj

 

[msb314]

The only possible clause would be of war or close proximity of it which certainly didn't went that far. Pcb surely winning it.

There was no war hence that clause wouldn’t apply...

 

[lifecric7]

Another phainty coming up for PCB. They will never learn...

 

[GBK_Fan]

That may be the case, but were there any clauses that allowed IMGR to escape?

I know what you mean. History tells us that PCB will lose again, I am only stating who I am rooting for in this fight.

 

[ARK Rafay]

Justice says that PCB should win the case, but the way modern world works and BCCI's power in Cricket, it will be really tough.

 

[Savak]

I am reading reports that PCB instructed Blitz and Trans Group (the media company which has broadcasted all of our matches since PSL 2019) to not outsource or involve IMG Reliance in any way for any matches moving forward as they are now blacklisted by the PCB. Is it true?

@Saj

Rightfully so. IMG Reliance put the PCB in a real bind with what they did in the PSL. They deserve to be blacklisted

 

[Nikhil_cric]

I hope PCB wins atleast this. It will look stupid if they end up losing and paying for Reliance's lawyers as well.

 

[Saj]

I am reading reports that PCB instructed Blitz and Trans Group (the media company which has broadcasted all of our matches since PSL 2019) to not outsource or involve IMG Reliance in any way for any matches moving forward as they are now blacklisted by the PCB. Is it true?

@Saj

PCB don't want to work with IMG at the moment after what happened.

 

[szundercover]

PCB don't want to work with IMG at the moment after what happened.

Thats the right call made by pcb.You can't trust these indian broadcasters given the political situation.

 

[ataullah]

PCB erring on side of caution!

===


The Pakistan Cricket Board today announced the consortium of Tower Sports and SportzWorkz as its broadcast production partner for the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020, which will be held across Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi from 20 February to 22 February.

The appointment was finalized following an open and transparent tender process as per the Pakistan Procurement Rules 2004. Pursuant to a rigorous pre-qualification process, the consortium had submitted the lowest evaluated bid.

Tower Sports is a Pakistan-registered company while SportzWorkz is registered in Singapore, and, together, they bring a powerful and respected crew of production management team who have a great wealth of experience of quality cricket production.

As part of the HBL PSL production arrangement, Tower Sports and SportzWorkz will also work to train Pakistani camerapersons and technical crew. This development program is being put in place with an aim to enhance the broadcast production skills of resources available in Pakistan.

The production team is led by industry stalwarts Chris McDonald and supported by Stephen Norris.

McDonald has previously served as Senior Vice-President at ESPN Star Sports. He has also served as the CEO and was one of the founding members of Ten Sports.

Norris has over 30 years of sports media and production experience and was instrumental in the successful launch of BT Sports in the UK and Ten Sports in South Asia. He was also the Head of Production at Ten Sports and helped them become the largest cricket producer in the world, including the production of all Pakistan cricket matches from 2000 to 2006.

Other notable members of the crew include Tim Finlay, Louwrens Rensburg and Graham Rendell.

Finlay has over 30 years of live production experience including work with BPL, SLPL, BCCI and the Australian Open.

Rensburg has worked as Executive Producer for SuperSport and has worked on the Cricket World Cup as well as bilateral cricket for South Africa, England and Pakistan.

Rendell brings with him 25 years of live production experience including bilateral cricket for Pakistan and the IPL.

PSL Project Executive Shoaib Naveed said: “We are excited to have such experienced personnel on board for the live production of HBL Pakistan Super League.

“Since the very first HBL PSL season, we have endeavored to provide world-class production for our fans and media partners and this year, with the wealth of experience that Tower Sports and SportzWorkz bring with their team, we aim to further enhance our production experience.”

Chairman SportzWorkz Chris McDonald said: “A part of our commitment to the PCB and to Pakistan itself is to train local TV production professions on delivering a state of the art, top level, international live cricket production.

“We will be developing local capacity by conducting on venue and classroom style training during the PSL for Pakistan professionals interested in having a career in sports production. Our goal, simply put, is to have a majority Pakistani crew in two to three years from now.”

What quality do we expect from these 2 companies? Its great Pakistanis will be trained but how ood are sportzworkz?

 

[MenInG]

What quality do we expect from these 2 companies? Its great Pakistanis will be trained but how ood are sportzworkz?

And it seems that SportzWorkz has an Indian connection....

 

[Ryw]

And it seems that SportzWorkz has an Indian connection....

So it means once again we will face loadshedding of broadcast midway of PSL

 

[Abdullah719]

Publicis Affiliate Blitz Advertising Responds to Lawsuit Over Alleged Unpaid OOH Bills

litz Advertising, currently affiliated with Spark Media under the Publicis Groupe, is facing a $642,419.25 lawsuit from The MediaVantage (TMV) Advertising DMCC, a Dubai-based broker for media inventory which claims they were not paid for marketing services rendered.

Plaintiff allegations

Filed with the Sindh High Court, the suit (case number 2086 filed for “Recovery of Amount/Damages”) claims that “Blitz Advertising (Pvt.) Ltd & others” entered an agreement with TMV for carrying out marketing activities in the United Arab Emirates in the lead up to the 2019 Pakistan Super League. According to the filing, the suit is currently “pending”.

Dan Qayyum, the Commercial Director of TMV, told Branding In Asia that in 2019 Blitz Advertising was granted a contract by the Pakistan Cricket Board to book out of home (OOH) media, specifically billboard and taxi advertising, around the United Arab Emirates to promote the Pakistan Super League event in the country.

“It is further claimed that Blitz booked media in the UAE through TMV Advertising DMCC and has failed to pay for a significant portion of the media space and services bought on behalf of the Pakistan Cricket Board in the UAE,” said Qayyum.

According to the filing with Sindh High Court, TMV is suing Blitz Advertising for AED 2,359,606 (USD 642,419.25) in allegedly unpaid fees.

When asked to produce additional documents to support claims made of a business relationship between Blitz Advertising and TMV, Qayyum declined to share any other details other than those contained in a release, which he posted in the following tweet:

Regarding sharing further documentation Qayyum said that TMV is bound by the advice of counsel, adding that said documents may be shared at a later stage.

“The fact that we have hired one of Pakistan’s top and most high profile lawyers, and that the lawyers are confident we have a solid case, is telling in itself,” said Qayyum in a WhatsApp correspondence with Branding In Asia.

According to the filing with the Sindh High Court, Zahid Ebrahim, a senior partner at FGE Ebrahim Hosain, is representing TMV in the case against Blitz Advertising.

Defendant response

Blitz Advertising is a subsidiary of Z2C, the communications holding company for ventures owned by Raihan Merchant. Brainchild Communications, an affiliate of Starcom MediaVest Group under the Publicis Groupe, is also under Z2C.

According to documents provided to Branding In Asia by Merchant, TMV first contacted Blitz Advertising on the 24th of June 2019 with a legal notice claiming that it was owed for OOH placement services provided in the lead up to Pakistan Super League 2019.

On the 27th of June 2019, legal representatives for Blitz Advertising sent a response to TMV wherein the claims were denied and proof of a business relationship was requested. On the 12th of July 2019, legal representatives for TMV responded with a series of claims detailing correspondence between the CFO of Blitz Advertising and a team at TMV. It is worth noting that this response from TMV did not include the requested proof, such as a notarized agreement detailing the terms of the relationship.

On the 22nd of August 2019, legal representatives for Blitz Advertising sent a response to TMV which reiterated a need for a legal document to prove the business relationship, adding that in light of failing to do, TMV was requested to withdraw their notice and tender an unconditional apology.

Earlier this week, on the 2nd of February 2020, just 18 days before Pakistan Super League 2020, Qayyum sent out a Tweet (posted above) which included a screengrab of a press release around the alleged offense and the actions being taken.

Behind the Scenes

Branding In Asia has seen a first information report (FIR) filed by Blitz Advertising in May 2019 naming a former OOH planner [name withheld by Branding In Asia] as having attempted to misuse the letterhead of Blitz Advertising to strike a business deal that was twice the OOH budget agreed by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Ahsen Idris, the CEO of Blitz Advertising, filed the FIR and stated that the former OOH planner forged the signature of Ali Raza, the CFO of Blitz Advertising, and sought to bring the accused forger to justice.

Pakistan Super League

In 2015, Z2C pitched the Pakistan Super League concept to the Pakistan Cricket Board, winning the media remit and gaining exclusive rights in brokering sponsorship and broadcasting deals. The principal sponsor for the event is Habib Bank Limited.

In an interview with Bloomberg in 2018, Arif Habib speculated that the Pakistan Super League is worth $300 million, while a 2019 report Lagardere Sports and Nielsen Sports valued the championship game at $230 million, nearly thirty times smaller than the Indian Premier League.

According to the Pakistan Economist, the Pakistan Super League has thus far generated $189 million from income based on broadcasting, 80% of which goes to franchises while the remainder reaches the Pakistan Cricket Board.

https://brandinginasia.com/publicis-affiliate-blitz-advertising-responds-to-lawsuit/