22 September 2004	Wednesday	06 Shaban 1425

MUMBAI, Sept 21: A controversial US$308 million deal to broadcast India's home cricket matches fell through on Tuesday after the country's cricket board said there was no binding contract and it may re-tender the rights.

The fight for the rights to televise games to tens of millions of passionate Indian sports fans went to court after India's largest listed media firm, Zee Tele films, snatched the rights in a tender race with global giant ESPN Star Sports.

The row threatened a tour of cricket-crazy India next month by the world champion Australian team. ESPN Star Sports, a joint venture between Disney Co and News Corp, took the BCCI to court claiming Zee's lack of sports experience meant it was not qualified to tender.

The cricket board told a Mumbai court on Tuesday it had no final contract with the Indian firm. It may re-tender the TV rights quickly - ahead of the four-Test series with Australia beginning on Oct 6 - produce a broadcast feed itself or find someone else to televise the games, a lawyer for the board said.

Zee's bid of $308 million to broadcast Indian home games for four years equalled its sales over the past three years, but at stake is a potential revenue pie of $300 million to $350 million. -Reuters