Channel 9 "faces a nerve-racking negotiation" over its "we-want-everything" bid for cricket’s TV rights after "surrendering its chance to have the final bid," according to Ben Horne of the Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH. In a "highly significant move which was part of the last deal, Nine elected not to pay" a multimillion-dollar fee that "would have ensured it had the last say in countering any offer tabled by rival networks." It was "this very clause that got Nine home less than an hour from deadline" four years ago when it came "over the top of a huge bid from Channel 10." Now that "no network holds the invaluable last rights playing card," the ball is in Cricket Australia’s court and "it is at liberty to deal with any party whenever it likes during the entire process, right up to its conclusion." Powerbrokers from multiple networks including Nine, Foxtel and Ten "were spotted at Adelaide Oval last weekend" meeting with CA execs, although negotiations "are understood to still be in a preliminary phase" and explaining what is on offer. The official tendering process is yet to begin (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 12/10).
