ICC media rights tender explained: FAQ on what's happening, what's not and the clamour around it all

There's been enough chatter already on the bid process being "too convoluted" and "lacking transparency". But what exactly are these complications? Here's a FAQ detailing the entire process. What: Bidding for all ICC events for either four or eight years.

What does it mean: Bids are being invited for the following events and cycles: 1) There's an option of submitting a bid for a four-year cycle that includes one 50-over World Cup, two T20 World Cups, one Champions Trophy between 2024 and 2027. 2) There's also an option of submitting a bid for an eight-year cycle that includes two 50-over World Cups, four T20 World Cups and two Champions Trophy events. When: The ICC has called for a closed bid (financial) on August 26.

They say if the bids are "not satisfactory", they will call for an e-auction in Round Two on August 28. Who can bid: Technical bids need to be submitted on August 22. Any broadcaster that clears it can participate.

What's Round 1 & Round 2: Round 1 is the closed bid. Only if the ICC says it is "not satisfied" with the bids in Round 1, it will call for Round 2 of bidding - to be held by way of an e-auction. For Round 2, the ICC will want the broadcasters to participate in a mock auction.

Where's the confusion: The ICC hasn't clarified what are the metrics that underline the word "satisfaction". They say: We will open the financial bids in private (not in front of the bidders) and decide if we are fine with it. They also say, it's not necessary that rights will be awarded to the highest bidder or an eight or four-year bid.

They've kept it all open, without explaining the process, and say "ICC alone will take a call". Is there further confusion: The financial bids will be submitted on August 26. Two