Overview

• In a podcast with Michael Clarke, Modi says he told broadcasters and news channels to go live during the April 18, 2008 opener despite Sony’s exclusive deal.
• He says he acted because he believed Sony lacked sufficient reach, recalling that Sony threatened to sue and that he replied, "sue me later."
• Modi frames the move as critical to securing early viewership, stating that if the inaugural game had failed, his position would have been untenable.
• Outlets note few media reports from 2008 substantiate the specific claim about "opening the signal," and no new legal action tied to this admission is reported.
• Coverage revisits later disputes over IPL rights, including BCCI’s 2009 termination and renegotiation restoring Sony’s rights and a ₹425 crore WSG facilitation fee that drew ED and court scrutiny as Modi now lives in the UK.