Nafisa-Kamal. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Ahead of the tenth edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), the tournament has landed in controversy as the defending champions of the league Comilla Victorians have threatened to pull out of the tournament if the revenue is not shared from the coming season. Notably, BPL 2024 will get underway from Friday, January 19 with the opening fixture between Dhaka Dominators and Comilla Victorians.
However, ahead of the start of the season, Comilla Victorians owner Nafisa Kamal stated that the franchise wouldn’t be able to continue with the current structure of the BPL governing council. Nafisa had expressed his desire to bring the revenue-sharing model into effect back in 2019, however, nothing has happened four years down the line. The BPL governing council had stated in 2022 that they’re not interested in sharing revenues with franchises.
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“Yes, hundred percent. I will not be staying in the BPL (If the revenue is not shared). Ticket rights, ground rights and media rights – these three things (Victorians want a share),” Nafisa was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
“We started BPL long ago but we are still lagging in broadcasting even with such a big population. Not a ticket would remain unsold if we had 50 percent of the ticket-selling rights. BCB do not give us the rights, neither media nor ground rights,” she added.
Nafisa further stated that they’re willing to accept even if they give them the lowest share possible but urged to take the authorities to take the first step.
“We will be very flexible in this regard (revenue sharing) and we are willing to give what is good for them and if they give the lowest even that is all right but let the structure start and let us take the first step” she said.
She also called out the governing council for not having a meeting with the franchises for a long time.
I told them to hold a meeting and sit face-to-face but that didn’t happen: Nafisa Kamal
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“I have forgotten when they last sat with us. This year, I just told them to hold a meeting and sit face-to-face but that didn’t happen. I wanted to have a meeting. Last year, after becoming the champions, in the press conference I wanted to have a meeting..,” she further said.
Nafisa also expressed her desire to join the board after BCB president Nazmul Hasan’s departure but stated that she is not eyeing to take up the post as of now.