The official media rights auction for the Women's Indian Premier League (WIPL) has been postponed until January 16th. The event was originally scheduled to take place on January 12th. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has set some conditions for the auction.
If the WIPL, which is scheduled to begin in early March, does not take place this year, then a rebidding process will occur next year. The BCCI has made it clear that it will not provide any assurance or guarantee regarding the participation of all five teams in the inaugural season.
Any interested parties wishing to submit a bid are required to purchase the Invitation To Tender (ITT) document from the BCCI. The ITT states that "if for any reason, 5 (five) teams are not constituted to play in the league in Season 2023 or the league is not organized in Season 2023, then all the Media Rights Agreements shall stand terminated."
The BCCI has also stated that "it is important to note that once the 5 (five) teams are selected, participation by a team in the league is subject to various terms and conditions, and BCCI is not providing any assurance or guarantee regarding participation of all 5 (five) teams."
The BCCI has outlined two key points ahead of the auction. Firstly, no person will be given the authority to bid simply by purchasing the ITT. Secondly, the BCCI has the right to cancel or amend the bidding process at any stage. The ITT states that "any interested party wishing to submit a bid is required to purchase the ITT.
It added,
However, only those satisfying the eligibility criteria set out in the ITT and subject to the other terms and conditions set out therein, shall be eligible to bid. It is clarified that merely purchasing this ITT does not entitle any person to bid. The BCCI reserves the right to cancel or amend the bidding process at any stage in any manner at its discretion."
