TV Contracts from Last Commonwealth Games Remain Unpaid

(ATR) British satellite television provider SIS says they are still owed $49 million from the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

SIS is one of 32 contractors that have still not received payment for the corruption-plagued Games.

"It’s astonishing to come into the next Commonwealth Games to have contractors that have not been paid for the last one," said Kevin Smith, a lawyer for SIS told The Guardian.

"In my experience, this is totally unprecedented. The non-payment has harmed everybody associated with it. No one comes out of this with any glory."

Working as the outside contractor for the BBC, SIS provided sports coverage since 2008. In 2009, the company signed an agreement with Prasar Bharati, India’s public broadcaster, to air the Games in Britain.

A spokesperson for Prasar Bharati would not provide comment to the Guardian.

New Zealand Commonwealth Games Bid Likely

New Zealand Olympic Committee president Mike Stanley said a Commonwealth Games bid in the future is "likely" from either Auckland or Christchurch.

"Right now, it didn't appear to be the right time, but I'm absolutely sure New Zealand will host the Games again at some stage," Stanley told reporters in Glasgow at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

New Zealand declined to bid for the 2022 edition of the Games, leaving Durban and Edmonton the only choices for the Commonwealth Games Federation.

While Stanley said it is "premature" to assume a 2026 bid would be forthcoming, discussions between the NZOC and the government have taken place.

Written by Aaron Bauer

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