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In a statement released by Broadcast Sports News, which was shared on social media by their graphic designer Steph Trudel, the company accuses Bhupathi and the IPTL of not paying 'the

fees for labour and associated expenses for the 2016 season'. Decorated Indian tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi found himself in a soup on Thursday as Broadcast Sports News, the

contributing TV production crew and associated tournament service providers of the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL), pulled the plug on its relationship with the tournament founded

by him. The IPTL enjoyed a successful opening season back in 2016, with superstars like Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova  and  Andy Murray enthralling audiences in India with top-class

tennis. In a statement released by Broadcast Sports News, which was shared on social media by their graphic designer Steph Trudel, the company accuses Bhupathi and the IPTL of not paying

'the fees for labour and associated expenses for the 2016 season'. HERE'S TRUDEL'S POST ON TWITTER > Thanks @Maheshbhupathi it was a pleasure doing business with > 

you....#IPTL #nameandshame pic.twitter.com/qzLcKR8aTG > — Steph Trudel (@TrudelSteph) October 4, 2018 HERE'S BROADCAST SPORTS NEWS' COMPLETE STATEMENT _Just over __twenty two__

months ago former World No 1 tennis doubles player and founder of the International Premier Tennis League, Mahesh Bhupathi celebrated the conclusion of the annual team tennis

competition's third season. The Singapore Slammers __were crowned__ champions for the second successive year with all members of the team enjoying the unconventional format and thriving

in the team environment._ _Despite considerable patience and understanding from the contributing TV production crew and associated tournament service providers the fees for __labour__ and

associated expenses for the 2016 season remain entirely unpaid. The following year featured a comedy of broken promises and sliding payment deadlines and now in the last quarter of 2018 the

crew have finally drawn the line accepting the fact that IPTL, despite __it's__ mission statement has indeed 'broken the business code'. _ _Broadcast in over 125 nations

worldwide with a reach of over 300 million households the 'IPTL' featured some of the games' biggest stars playing in front of packed houses in some of the most poorly served

tennis communities in the world. Much more than a travelling exhibition, the matches were exciting and compelling with some of the biggest personalities promoting and participating in a

surprisingly competitive new event that fans were responding to. With beverage juggernaut Coca Cola as the title sponsor and the world's fastest growing airline, Qatar Airways as the

presenting sponsor, the IPTL seemed to be established as a new gem in an emerging generation of television, non-linear and consumer-friendly sports entertainment. _ _Armed with a modest

budget but an abundance of skill, experience and determination, IPTL's behind the scenes crew crafted venue to venue live coverage including an innovative communication system to co.

ordinate both the __in house__ and broadcast formats simultaneously. Tennis fans were treated to spectacular fan engaging shows including Dl, dance performances, social interaction and __in

venue__ competitions. The broadcast was particularly challenging given that the same principal crew flew from city to city to deliver the event in some cases on two different continents in

as many days._ _Bhupathi contracted Broadcast Events Bren Hester to build the overall production plans, design the cable schematics and plan the logistical and financial aspects of the

league's television department. Hester commissioned a tennis 'dream team' to produce the matches and selected several industry specialists to provide the data, scoring and

graphics technology, outside broadcast facilities, venue __post production__, satellite uplink and signal distribution. During the planning phase Hester authored bespoke survey reports for

each of the participating venues and worked closely with IPTL's senior venue manager to help execute the event including supporting the fans' experience and how best to format the

event for television. During the latter half of the 2016 season it was clear changes were imminent. Five teams became four and five venues became three as management personnel surveyed

several alternative venues as the IPTL scrambled to secure __last minute__ team and venue arrangements. Hester himself absorbed the costs for the additional surveys in India and Malaysia as

well as being forced to honour the bill for the strategic animation sequences and transition replay wipes as the finance department appeared to shut down._ _Twenty two months later and the

entire production crew, technology service providers, satellite uplink and distribution suppliers, chair umpires and court surface provider remain unpaid including their expenses, visas

costs, per diems and ground transport fees__._ _A spokesperson representing the IPTL crew explained, "What is most frustrating is that the IPTL continued in December 2016 while the

management team knew there were insufficient funds available to pay for it. There has never been any form of explanation or apology regarding this to a single member of the crew or the

tournament service providers. IPTL's management team clearly have no respect or consideration for the individuals concerned. It's an example of unacceptable and irresponsible

business conduct and should not be allowed to repeat itself. Many of the freelance crew value each day of their working lives in a competitive market and there is no place in our industry

for ignoring the payment commitments to honest, __hard working__ members of the production team or contracted event suppliers."_ _The IPTL has made no attempt to pay for crew expenses

such as daily per diems, ground transport or visa costs with the overall loss attached to broadcast estimated to be $900,000. With revenues available from the two principal sponsors, team

sponsors, Maruti, arena ticket sales, advertising boards and television sales, lack of payment to the IPTL's TV Production department remains a mystery. _