An official statement by Srinivasan's company Indian Cements, which owns CSK, said that Meiyappan "is neither owner, nor CEO/Team Principal", adding that he was "only one of the members (honorary) of the management team" of CSK.
Given the mountain of evidence that Meiyappan was a lot more than just another member of CSK's management team, not to mention his close relationship with Srinivasan, the attempt to distance him from the franchise might seem odd. But a clause in the franchise agreement, signed by all IPL franchisees with the BCCI, suggest there is good reason behind the desperate ploy.
And that's the termination clause. Clause 12.3 of the franchise agreements lists circumstances under which the BCCI "may terminate this agreement with immediate effect by written notice". Sub-clause (c) under this clause reads, "the Franchisee, any Franchisee Group Company and/or any Owner acts in any way which has a material adverse effect upon the reputation or standing of the League, BCCI-IPL, BCCI, the Franchisee, the Team (or any other team in the League) and/or the game of cricket".
In short, if Meiyappan is the owner of CSK and investigations show that he acted in a manner which damages the reputation of IPL, CSK or cricket, BCCI can terminate the franchise agreement, which would mean CSK would no longer be part of the IPL.
Clearly, if Srinivasan is forced to quit as BCCI chief, this clause could be a potent threat to CSK's continuance in the IPL if Meiyappan is treated as the owner. Seen in this context, the motive behind playing down his role in CSK becomes apparent.
That the claim is questionable is obvious for several reasons. Over the years, media has constantly referred to Meiyappan as the Team Principal of CSK, and sometimes even as the owner, without any contradiction from the franchise. He has represented CSK at meetings of franchise owners. Footage repeatedly aired on TV channels in recent days shows him doing the bidding for CSK at IPL auctions. He has been a regular presence in the team dug-out at IPL matches. At innumerous CSK functions, like book launches or unveiling of a new jersey, he was the face of the team management. He also had an IPL pass that gave him access to all areas except the dressing room.
The list goes on, but here is the clincher: On Friday, shortly after the India Cements statement was released to the media, TOI checked out Meiyappan's twitter page, (handle @gurunath75), and found the bio saying, "Team Principal Chennai Super Kings, managing director AVM productions and entertainment, AVM studios, AVM constructions. Chennai. Chennaisuperkings.com". This was at 5.18 pm. Half an hour later, the bio had changed. All references to CSK had been dropped.
TOI also found that tweets reproduced on CSK's official website refer to Meiyappan as the Team Principal. Under the circumstances, it might prove difficult for Srinivasan and CSK to make anybody buy the idea that Meiyappan was just another member of the team management. And that means that CSK's future as an IPL franchise hangs by a slender thread.
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