GCB could sell media ‘EL’ rights

But while legitimate broadcast outlets sniff around Guernsey as an avenue to show cricket, more ominously the seedier side of the international game – bookmakers and those after making a financial killing – are also showing a keen interest in what is developing in the light of Guernsey's success in tackling coronavirus.

GCB chief executive Mark Latter yesterday joked he had never been so popular.

‘The worldwide dearth of live sporting action has meant that once Guernsey Cricket announced an intention to start playing again, we were contacted by all manner of people looking to use our live action feeds on their own platforms. This has come from digital broadcasters to fantasy game providers across Europe and Asia,’ he said yesterday after appearing on a Wisden podcast. Radio Melbourne has also been in touch.

‘As we saw with our cricket friends in Vanuatu, the interest is real and they have secured both a game sponsor and media rights partner. Where the interest is with fantasy game providers, then there is a need to fully understand the exact nature of how your content might be used and to ensure the integrity of your organisation and that of the players. Sport has a great offering for many enthusiasts but offers other values to some that might not always meet your own.

‘That all said, who would have thought that we would get a call to discuss media rights for Evening League cricket? Yet we have and discussions are ongoing and who knows what offers might finally come in and where they can lead.

‘We realise we have a one off opportunity here and a limited window of interest before other countries come on board with live cricket [and sport] but if we can gain a benefit for local cricket meantime…..why wouldn’t we?’

Saturday’s game, whilst being an exhibition, still raised £1500 for the local Covid Appeal through a streaming rights sale and other contributions.

‘Who knows what a season, albeit truncated, might raise,’ questioned Latter.