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This week's topic comes from Nick Jones who has some harsh words on the fact that Bermuda's World Cup games will be screened on pay-per-view television.



Nick Jones, sports pundit: It's a disgrace that somebody has been allowed to bid on having the rights for the World Cup. We, the public, spent $11m to train this squad we have the right to see them play for free. It should be free, it should be on television for all to see.

Our national team is going to the World Cup for the first time. Everyone, every senior that can't afford $200, every Bermudian should be able to see it. The Government should have taken whatever it cost on itself to ensure this was televise free to everyone.

Peter Dunne, president of the Bermuda Bicycle Association: Sounds reasonable to me. For such an important event in Bermuda's sporting history there must be some way for the BCB to work out something with the distributor of the programming alongside a local distribution channel. If

Bermudians are not given the opportunity to savor the benefit of the national squad on such a huge international stage then we just gave $11 million to the team and no one else.

I'm sure the local cricket authorities are doing their best to find a way for the matches to be available to the entire nation that supports them.

Roderick Spencer, men's national basketball coach: Now don't take this out of context because I love cricket and will find a way to see the games.

Government has already given Cricket $11 million of the taxpayers' money and, believe it or not, there are people out there that don't watch or even like the sport but are paying for it.

I don't think government should foot the bill for TV rights also out of the taxpayers' pockets. The responsibility should fall on the BCB to showcase the team they have built for $ 11 million.

George Holdipp, Bermuda Sun columnist: Nick is right on principle on that people should not have to pay to watch any of those World Cup games. The World Cup of football is broadcast free of charge, the Olympics is broadcast free of charge and the World Cup of cricket falls into that category.

When one considers what it stands for, then everyone should have the opportunity to watch it.

I also have to agree with Roderick on the fact that the BCB are getting 11 million dollars from Government and that the cricket team will be involved for the first time, that should have foot the bill providing everyone with the chance to see the team perform, but then again, we haven't been able to see the team perform on local soil in a fifty-over match for the past two years so why should provision be made for us to see them on Television now?

Justin Freisenbruch, president of the Bermuda Hockey Federation: I personally don't think this is one we can blame the BCB for at all - looking elsewhere in the world I believe that the sports governing body only has control or input over television rights when the match, event or competition is actually being held in their own country or they actually "own" the rights themselves.

I can't imagine the English Cricket Board considering or being required to pay Channel 9 Australia so that the Ashes could be screened on the BBC (free) as opposed to Sky (PPV). Argument over whether the World Cup is more important to Bermuda than the Ashes to England would be close.

The principle that people should be able to watch this is absolutely correct, but the onus to find the solution to that lies elsewhere from the BCB.

Marc Wetherhill, secretary for the Bermuda Cricket Board: George, I have already answered your question with respect to the $11 million.

You have taken us off subject with your comment re the public watching the team play locally but you know as well as I do that the BCB have no choice when it comes to hosting a series in Bermuda - we are unable to host an ODI match as there is no ground in Bermuda capable of hosting a game in accordance with the ICC rules.

You know as well as anyone that the political issues relating to the National Centre (re soil etc.).

Don Burgess, Bermuda Sun deputy editor: I'll admit I'd like to see it for free, but we live in a democracy and Hott won the rights for the World Cup - Fair play to them. Those people who love cricket won't think twice about paying $200 for seeing the games.

James Whittaker, Bermuda Sun sports reporter: No doubt. $200 is cheap for fans who want to watch the whole tournament. I think it works out at less than four bucks a game - fair enough for the tournament as a whole.

The issue is, perhaps, for those who aren't that interested in cricket but want to be a part of something that is history in the making for Bermuda, and goes beyond sport.

I do believe everyone should have the opportunity to see Bermuda's matches. In England, for example, I believe the Government legislates that the football World Cup, the Olympics and certain other events must be screened on terrestrial television - free to all.

I wonder if there's anything the Bermuda government can do at this stage to make that happen? How about free large screen coverage at City Hall?

Don: Government announced yesterday that they are sponsoring Hott to the tune of $120,000 for their World Cup coverage.

David Gibbons, sports enthusiast: Hell no! Don't use my tax dollars to fund something that I don't have access to.

Corey Hill, former national team cricket player: It is imperative that every Bermudian has the opportunity to view all the Bermuda games at least.

Folks will buy the remaining package anyway I know I will. The total responsibility should fall on the highest power (Government) to provide what the country wants and needs.

Forget about the $11 million and the BCB, That money I'm sure is accounted for, leave it alone!

The World Cup is a national event, it's not just about the players we are sending because when they get to the Caribbean and stand adjacent to teams like India, those Indians are not looking to just beat those players they are looking to beat the hell out of a whole country - you and me included.

We will not have an abundance of spectators from Bermuda in the stands so our boys need to know at least everybody and their granny is watching back home and that will help boost confidence in the team no matter the result of the game.

When they look up they will see thousands of Indians etc. That alone is enough to make you get a duck and you haven't even faced a ball yet. You're defeated before you start. So the highest power is responsible for helping the players' confidence by assuring them that everyone of their family/friends is given the opportunity to watch free.

We may never have this chance again.[[In-content Ad]]

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