Over 20 rikishi have thus far been expelled. Some have gone quietly picking up very nice severance packages on the way out the door. Others have promised legal battles ahead that will, in all likelihood, be timed to avoid a clash with a particular basho. Wherever the yaocho allegations, dismissals and court cases take the sport in the months ahead, one interesting change in the make-up of the sport could well be how it is broadcast to fans across Japan and the world.
Even though many forms of self-reproachment, in the shape of committees and self-governance, have been put in place by the Nihon Sumo Kyokai, it does appear that the association has also quietly been looking to loosen the stranglehold NHK has long enjoyed over broadcasting the sport.
NHK will not be broadcasting this upcoming basho. In its place there will be an online "feed," accessed via the official homepage of the association, which is set to be improved in terms of quality and content (commentary included). Meanwhile, the online video site Nico Nico Doga will show all the action — from the first bouts in the morning.