Disney Star Seeks ₹800 Crore-Plus Discount from ICC After T20 World Cup Losses due to Washouts: Report

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Official broadcasters Disney Star is reportedly seeking a massive discount of over $100 million (approximately ₹830 crore) from the International Cricket Council (ICC) following substantial losses incurred during the T20 World Cup 2024 in June, reported Cricbuzz.

At the heart of Star's demand is the washout of the highly anticipated India-Canada match, scheduled for June 15 in Lauderhill, Florida. India's fixtures in World Cups are among the most valuable, drawing massive viewership and advertising revenue.

The abandonment of this match due to weather conditions resulted in significant financial losses for the broadcaster, which is now seeking compensation. While several other matches, including England vs Scotland, USA vs Ireland, and Sri Lanka vs Nepal, also faced similar fates, the India-Canada game has been specifically highlighted by Star due to its high commercial value.

Another major concern raised by Star revolves around the low-scoring semifinal between Afghanistan and South Africa on June 26 at Tarouba, the report further stated. In this match, Afghanistan was bowled out for a meagre 56 runs in just 11.5 overs, and South Africa chased down the target in less than nine overs. The contest, which was supposed to be a thrilling World Cup semifinal, fell short of expectations. The ICC later deemed the pitch at the Brian Lara Academy unsatisfactory, further exacerbating the broadcaster's grievances.

Star has also pointed out other issues, including the overall marketing of the tournament, the timing of matches in the US, and the underwhelming nature of the much-anticipated India-Pakistan game, which also turned out to be a low-scoring affair. However, neither the broadcaster nor the ICC has been willing to publicly discuss these concerns. Star has declined to comment on the matter, and the ICC, citing its policy, has refrained from making any statements on commercial negotiations.

This request for a discount is separate from Star's broader efforts to renegotiate the entire $3 billion broadcast deal it signed with the ICC in August 2022. With speculation about Jay Shah potentially becoming the next ICC chairman, the outcome of these negotiations could have far-reaching implications for the future of cricket broadcasting and the financial dynamics of global sporting events.