The words of war between the IPL commissioner Lalit Modi and the minister of State for external affairs, Shashi Tharoor, over the Cochin IPL team and all the stories emerging from the fracas suggest that there are serious questions before the much ballyhooed Indian Premier League.
Details have emerged of massive conflict of interest between the IPL administrators and the franchises; convoluted ownership patterns with links to offshore centres like Mauritius; political and other skulduggery to push handpicked corporate houses and cities; open and underworld threats, and so on and so forth.
As it is, the farcical quality of cricket in IPL, the overriding commercial interest, the cheergirls, the Bollywoodisation, the betting, have already attracted reams. The promotion of “IPL Nights”—after-match parties with players in attendance—have also sparked fears of a sex scandal looming around the corner.
Question: Do you sense a scam in the IPL? Do you believe the astronomical numbers mentioned in the auctions for teams and players? Will IPL survive all this and thrive? Or will it sink itself and Indian cricket into irrelevance?
churumuri 
This is just the scam we were all waiting for.
here’s hoping Modi goes down and takes the IPL with him.
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Any doubt?
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Alok,
Let Modi go down. But not IPL which is a great platform for youngsters.
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This the best IPL game ever. The underworld folks are masters at ‘valuation’, so no surprise if they are involved. Plus given the secrecy of shareholding it is an easy money laundering setup.
EPL has its russian oligarchs, so IPL will have its D-companies :)
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yes,I think there is a scam here.Becuase lot of money is involved,cricket is longer a game this is also a business.The people involved in ipl is just encashing the people’s craze for cricket.
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Modi is the scam…
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The way some the matches were thrown indicates massive rigging and millions of black money changing hands. It’s obvious that the Cong-I leaders as well as NCP are in league with the betting mafia.
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Bangalore perhaps lost the most winnable match against DC. Wonder what really went wrong at the time! And, it was destined for Mr.Modi from the day he stepped into running IPL,. the quintessential YES man for the BCCI. He looks every bit a crook.
Rite, like someone pointed out, there is never a doubt this is a scam , a major scam at that. I second Hiker , let Modi go down but let not the IPL. Well…IPL probably never goes down. It gets more regularised I hope. The first step is to throw Mr.Modi and Co out. He did enough, let someone with more intgrity take over.(Surely there shud be someone who has more integrity than him out there).
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IPL is a Satyam waiting to happen. Just matter of time. There is far too much money involved, and too less transparency in how things work within BCCI and franchisees.
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Lalit Modi is a scumbag of nth order. Is he brainchild of IPL? Is IPL his concept? If you think so, then you are wrong. He just copied the format from EPL and ICL. He should thank BCCI for supporting him.
Lalit Modi has lot to hide. Why is he not revealing whether he has stake in RR? Why is he not revealing anything about Keiron Pollard’s secret bid?
@Rastrakoota:
I came to know from my friend that recent KKR vs RCB was fixed. I am not sure about this. Stakes were high thats what i heard. as E-Company pointed there is high probability of matches being rigged. Infact IPL sought ICC’s anti-corruption unit’s services for Champions League and this year’s IPL. IPL had its own anti-corruption unit for 1st two seasons because Modi said he cudnt afford it.
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When Mr Shashi Tharoor was contesting top job UN Secy General, we and every Indian wanted him elected for the job. when he quit UN, entered indian politics, we wanted him to be external affairs minister( not minister of state), after experiencing his childish talks, talking loosely on the country, leaders, he does not know the culture heritage of India and he is misfit for the job he is holding. Better for him to be a professional writer not a public figure any more.
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Scam or no scam, both parties mentioned here seem to have ulterior motives. One hopes some more eminent persons take over the helm of affairs so some credibility can be restored.
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Some folks pointing out that lot of matches being fixed, betting etc… that is way too much tinfoil.
For me it looks like a simple case of Kochi guys trying to get away cheap by using a first time MP, when others were using established and powerful ministers. They seem to have realized this and now we see that AK Anthony was present in the meeting between pranab and Tharoor :)
But the other issue is of money laundering, with most teams using popular figures as ‘fronts’. This is the issue that the media needs to keep hounding. But I already see the talking points in the news changing to ‘impropreity’ and other bs. This side show will go on for a few days till the right people get paid and then the issue will disappear without a trace.
Overall a classic ponzi scheme bubble … The only people that make money are the ones that got in at the top and the people that move it.
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KH,
Only the people at the top are investing in IPL. We are spectators, we pay money to matches and ads. We have nothing at stake here.
Nothing ponzi in this setup. Match fixing is difficult to prove. And anyway, why should matches be fixed? People will watch whatever happens, and since players are traded, the richer franchises will always have the better players and hence more victories. It is a closed loop – unlike international test cricket of the past, there are no Aussies etc. to fear and bribe to lose matches and then run the risk of getting caught.
Money laundering is an Indian specialty – our inbuilt language, region, caste and family loyalties will ensure that, there is no way the press can find anything except in cases like Tharoor who don’t seem to have learned to play the game – they will in time. It is very difficult to prove that someone broke the law in these cases.
The only thing that can stick maybe underworld influence – but again, in India has that ever been a problem?
All in all it is a win, win for everyone – the BCCI, powerful people who have ownership and other stakes in IPL and the paying public whose primary hobby/entertainment is watching cricket. And come to think of it, what is wrong with that?
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If it is a scam, then so be it. This is not the first time in India. Its obvious that the stake holders are making money and audiences like us are being entertained. Now everything comes with a cost, doesn’t it ?
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Ella Gurugalige namaskaragalu,
Elli nodi sir, first of all that fellow Lalit Modi is big manipulator, and this fellow our mos for external affairs does not know what he speaks, what he TWEETS and what he does(novice first time politician). Done with both of them now getting back to IPL i think some of matches are fixed. Like today between RCB& RR. Warne played so many years and he doesn’t know that Dew factor will play a major role and still opted for Batting. Something fishy alva snehitarugale.
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Cricket = BIG SCAM
BAN CRICKET IN INDIA NOW.
All are behind it because LOT OF MONEY is there. All from underworld dons..those who want to convert black money to white easily.
DON’T WASTE WATCHING CRICKET. PLEASE WRITE RAMA RAMA IN A BOOK.
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Does N. Ram read Churumuri?
This is regarding your post on Justice Dinakaran.
There is an almost verbatim repetition of one of the lines found in that post in today’s Editorial in The Hindu.
Your post:
If Justice Dinakaran is unfit for Karnataka, can he be fit for Sikkim or any other State?
The Hindu’s Editorial:
if Justice Dinakaran, who faces charges of corruption and land-grab, is unfit for Karnataka, how can he be suitable for Sikkim or, for that matter, any other State?
Does N. Ram read Churumuri?
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Congress has mastered the art of moulding public opinion using the media. This whole IPL-Tharoor scam is a smokescreen to cover up price rise and dantewada. The whole media is going ga ga over this insignificant news of least national importance and significance.
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@ AG,
Why shud matches be fixed? When people watch them anyway! Gud point that but I guess matches will be fixed because there is an obscene amount of betting on these matches. And, as you rightly pointed, its difficult to prove em, when the winning team is suddenly from nowhere is beginning to lose , thats when money gets exchanged and these so-called top investors are in the know-how. I still wonder why RC lost to DC on that nite. May be Dr.mallya has some stakes in DC as well. as a result, he wanted 2 teams in Semis. May be huh! Not sure though.
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My hunch seems to correct …
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100415/jsp/sports/story_12341310.jsp
Apparently Mr Pawar was keen on Pune or Ahmedabad …and obviously Pawar >>>>> Tharoor. Maybe now Tharoor will understand how the foodchain works.
http://greatbong.net/2010/04/15/pushkar-i-hate-tears/#more-8026
The comments in that article are also quite interesting …particularly the one about IPL being a tax evasion vehicle more.
@AG,
Spectators are not affected by this ponzi scheme atleast till the teams float IPOs ;) , but the people that finance the buyers they are definitely impacted by this ponzi scheme. Its a question of who the last bag holder will be and whether he has sufficient money (black or white) to cover it.
@Kitapati,
The real issues are always ignored anyhow, so enjoy the show while it lasts. Atleast it is more entertaining than Shoania ;)
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@AG:
>>All in all it is a win, win for everyone – the BCCI, powerful people who have ownership and other stakes in IPL and the paying public whose primary hobby/entertainment is watching cricket. And come to think of it, what is wrong with that?
You have a good point there AG..but is that really that simple ie a closed system with no adverse impact on general public?
There is no free lunch. The sponsors and advertisers who pour in oodles of money into this will look for avenues to recover that, no? Which would most probably mean that his/her products or services would be priced higher increasingly and me and you would shell out more money for the same product or service without any additional gain in value.
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Anshuman,
Sponsors and advertisers work off a budget. If there is no IPL, it will be some other bollywood star or some other event. Price increase is held in check by competition not by some conscious decisions on part of the seller. If the seller had a choice on this matter, say by monopoly, they would increase the price till the consumer is squeezed. They can also form cartels etc. – but this is a different matter.
Also the sponsors aim in a market like India is not to necessarily to increase prices, but to sell more of their products. People who sell prestige products will likely not advertise in a mass event like IPL. In that regard IPL is still win for everyone.
For good or for bad, the market works by competition, products are improved this way at the same time cut-throat advertising tries to convince you to buy stuff you probably dont need. IPL is just another means.
If I am so concerned that the price of a product will go up due to money they spend on advertising in IPL, I will simply stop buying that product. But don’t expect prices to come down because IPL isn’t there.
Government oversight in these matters in India may probably end up doing more harm than good. For increasing quality and not letting producers from gouging the public, we need more consumer awareness and stronger consumer movement.
In any case, I dont see how IPL relates to product price increases of sponsors.
***
Another big win for IPL – it generates endless hours of discussion about match fixing, scandals etc., with no real harm associated with it.
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AG Sir,
Excellent post……
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Everytime I see an interview with a BCCI official about cricket related problems/concerns, they seem to say something to the effect “We are very much concerned about the concerns that are concerning you, and we agree that matter is very concerning, but as far as we are concerned, it doesn’t really concern you.”
:-)
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Truth About IPL = Indian Paisa league
All the matches are fix. This is a pure Business in India. Lots of money n lots of people are involved in this shit. IPL means money,drugs,drink,sex,n looting Indian people by providing them fun(In the form of 4 hrs drug addiction). But,Have any one really thought about the backstage drama of IPL? “This time IPL is going GREEN”!!! The hell they are going green fooling people by giving nonsense statements!! Because of IPL so many TV’s,Internet,Air traffic is increasing which is simply causing global warming. Various offers on many products(Just to make people fool n increasing their pocket level n Bank Balance). n the fun part is player really endorse it n people really buys it.(height of foolishness)
I hope you guys can see how they are wasting our money in drinks,girls,sex n partying every night. In IPL night they are showing models walking on ramp!! whats the direct relation between Cricket players & fashion (Girls cloth)? Yes! but there can be inverse proportion between them & the answer is SEX n FUN.
Also, by doing so they are having fun not the people of India. More then spectators,foreign players n Indian players are having so comfort.
Because of IPL many many people are making their black money into white money(Easy way of converting). Its a big scam really a big big scam but Indian people will never ever understand this.
Why only India is behind T20? can you ever imagine? There are other developed countries who can make such events more bigger but they don’t have spectators i.e people are not fool.
for eg: you spend your 500 rs in 1 ticket to watch IPL match in playground. N you cant even watch properly what all things going on n also who is playing on the pitch unless n until you see it on screen display. just think that ground has capacity of 55,000 people. out of which 20,000 tickets of 500.
other 30,000 tickets for 1000 and 5000 rs. Still many VIP’s and AC seats remain which cost around 20,000 rs to 40,000 rs just for 1 match can you imagine it!! Its really looting people!!
Hope this “CRIME”(IPL) goes down in near future. Anyways in India noone listen to good things.
Because of IPL Bollywood,Cricketers,Owners,Politician,Big Companies,Prostitutes & DONS are going to make money n u’ll loose your 500,1000,5000,20000 rs. for single match n help earth to get finish fast by watching them on TV n increasing global warming just understand that much.
If IPL helping India to grow then why dont we see any change in India(I mean Infrastructure wise,New opportunities, good transport,New sport complex etc. n many more). IPL is approximately making profit of 20000 crore INR!! Big money !! Where does all the Indian money go as soon as IPL matches get over?
also last final example we have a country like Thailand who has got nothing but now look at the growth rate !! its unbelievable. Their government & Big people has worked really hard to make such a beautiful country. But in India they just do the work of looting and make their personal bank balance go high.
JAI HIND n Save India.
Dont be fool be a smart Indian.
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It’s an open secret that the IPL, just like almost every other major event or show in India is a big-time money laundering scam. All the media, commentators, players, organizers, team management and everyone else with the notable exception of the paying public know that practically ALL the matches are rigged and the results premeditated to make it look drastic, dramatic and fantastic! If the favored team loses, they stand to make at least 4-5 times as much money compared to what they would have, had they won! EVERYONE is happy! Players from the losing teams in the dugouts have gotten broad grins on their faces, cos they know “the hell with the outcome, the money’s already been credited in our account”! AND THAT IS THAT! That is the bottomline behind the entire billion-dollar farce, which can be aptly renamed as the great, big Indian Pilfering League!
As has been pointed out by many others in these columns, the money-laundering concept and every fraudulent practice in the world is very much native to India and is deeply ingrained in every aspect of india. From the infernal, thuggish government to big businesses and celebrities – it’s an open secret and the great gullible masses of india believe their cutthroat leaders and celebrities and are willing to pay everything to watch their crap, while the main guys pocket their stash fooling the public! This isn’t just about the much-hyped IPL or that goon Modi, this is about the entire Indian system, which is decadent to the core in every single facet! If India truly needs to move on in the world in anything other than booming population, it needs to start at the very grassroots level and change it’s entire system from bottom to top!
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