Sale of ICC sponsorship rights from 2007 - 2015 to commence shortly

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed it is preparing to commence the sponsorship sales process to events scheduled to take place between the second half of 2007 and the ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2015.

The period includes 18 ICC tournaments with two ICC Cricket World Cups, in Asia (2011) and Australasia (2015), and a minimum of three ICC Champions Trophy tournaments.

Also included are the first two ICC Twenty20 World Championships, in South Africa (2007) and England (2009), the latter taking place in the ICC's centenary year.

The ICC intends to enter negotiations with prospective sponsors with a view to concluding agreements during the first half of 2007.

Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Speed said: "The ICC's Executive Board began this process in April of last year when it confirmed the venues for ICC events from the second half of 2007 to the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup.

"With those events and a broadcasting agreement to cover them in place, we are now in a position to go to market to obtain the best possible partners for cricket.

"The sale of these sponsorships is of huge significance for cricket throughout the world at all levels as, like the broadcasting agreement already concluded, the revenue they generate will play a pivotal role in sustaining and growing the game.

"A great deal of thought has gone into creating the sponsorship packages on offer and we believe they are extremely comprehensive and will deliver year-round value for our partners.

"For the first time the ICC is able to offer one major event every year and the quality and variety of those events and the fact they span the globe mean they represent exceptional value for sponsors.

"Our sponsors will have an important role in promoting ICC events and programs, bringing the game to a wider audience and creating new opportunities and experiences for fans.

"With growing media convergence and evolution likely over the next eight years this sponsorship will engage fans via a variety of platforms, including television, internet, mobile, radio, print and at the venues themselves.

"Live telecasts will be supported by an integrated promotion plan for major events and for the sport. It all means that companies have never had a bigger and more prestigious opportunity in cricket," he added.

The ICC has already sold its broadcast rights for the period with ESPN STAR Sports in December named as its Global Media and Production Partner in an agreement significantly in excess of the ICC's previous commercial deal.

That agreement with Global Cricket Corporation (GCC), which includes both broadcast and sponsorship components, began in 2000 and ends with the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup in the West Indies next March and April.

Mr Speed added: "This sponsorship platform will enable our partners to reach fans in places and in ways that were inconceivable in the past and to do so with a truly global footprint.

"With the support of the best possible and truly world-class broadcaster for cricket in the shape of ESPN STAR Sports, we believe this is the most comprehensive and powerful international cricket sponsorship opportunity in history.

"We look forward to taking discussions forward and to identifying the companies that will help support and secure the future of our great game," added Mr Speed.

Further details and updates of the sales process will be announced in due course.

ICC Events 2007 - 2015

2007	Cricket World Cup	March/April	West Indies*
	Twenty20 World Championship	September	South Africa
2008	U/19 Cricket World Cup	February	Malaysia
	Champions Trophy	September	Pakistan
2009	Women’s Cricket World Cup	March	Australia
	ICC Trophy	April	UAE
	Twenty20 World Championship	June	England
2010	U/19 Cricket World Cup	February	Kenya
	Champions Trophy	March/April	West Indies
	World Cricket League	TBC	The Netherlands
2011	Cricket World Cup	February/March	Bangladesh/India/Pakistan/Sri Lanka
2012	U/19 Cricket World Cup	July	Canada
	Champions Trophy/Twenty20 World Championship	September	Sri Lanka
2013	Women’s Cricket World Cup	February	India
	Champions Trophy/Twenty20 World Championship	TBC	TBC
2014	Champions Trophy/Twenty20 World Championship	April	Bangladesh
	U/19 Cricket World Cup	February/March	UAE
	World Cricket League	TBC	TBC
2015	Cricket World Cup	February/March	Australia/New Zealand

* broadcast and sponsorship rights for this event owned by Global Cricket Corporation