Two public relations firms, one Indian and another South African, have been working around the clock on behalf of the Indian Premier League. There has been the odd slip, but by and large, from processing media accreditation to keeping journalists informed, they’ve delivered the goods.
Some Indian newspapers have boycotted the event or have withdrawn their staffers after a while. The PR exercise has, therefore, included furnishing match reports across the spectrum. First, such spoon feeding could be a first in sporting history. Secondly, it raises ethical issues about whether a PR company working for tournament organisers should be planting such stories.
The PR personnel’s main brief, though, seems to be to promote Lalit Modi, the commissioner (as he’s called) of the IPL. Frequently in the past five weeks have they rushed into the press box to alert media persons about coverage opportunities relating to him.
Before the first semi-final, the diligent machinery announced that the commissioner and the two captains involved in the match will be addressing a press conference an hour before start of play. Not many were present at the media box at the time; and to Modi’s dismay, most representatives of Indian news channels were absent.
Unsurprisingly, neither Adam Gilchrist nor Virender Sehwag turned up. Would any skipper in his right mind waste his time at a press conference an hour before a crucial semi-final match? This is when professional cricketers focus on the job in hand.
Modi was flanked by Glenn McGrath and Scott Styris, neither of whom were playing in the tie. In any case, the former gave the others very little leeway to say anything. He jabbered on about the so-called Miss Bollywood South Africa contest on Saturday night and the musicians who will perform on Sunday at the closing ceremony. Did it not occur to him that he was addressing cricket writers, not Page 3 reporters?
Financially and from standpoints of crowd participation and TV audiences in India (not so much in other countries), Modi and his team, critically backed by the British arm of an American event management concern, have undoubtedly pulled off two successful IPLs. Besides, Modi is a decent communicator, has facts and figures at his disposal, which is a far cry from generally bumbling BCCI officials. He would, however, do himself an immense favour if he was less talkative, dispensed with constantly thrusting himself before media and avoided ridiculous claims.
On Friday, CNN International aired an interview with him, wherein he asserted that as a result of IPL, cricketers are now highest paid sportsmen in the world. This network carried his remarks; but immediately contradicted him by portraying graphics of the top earners, beginning with Tiger Woods, whose
annual income is said to be $110 million. By comparison, it highlighted Sachin Tendulkar as the richest cricketer, raking in $15 million a year. It’s folly to be wise where ignorance is bliss!
Putting together a panel of TV commentators is an executive producer’s art. This has never occurred to Indian broadcasters, let alone BCCI and IPL. Commentators must have different attributes to them to comprise a composite set.
It is also highly unethical for event hosts to select onsite broadcasters, as is the case with the IPL. Indeed, it is a misnomer to describe the scantily-clad dancing girls as cheer leaders. The real and only cheer leaders are the TV commentators, who have shamelessly, parrot-like been reeling off names of tournament sponsors during matches.
