Whichever way you look at it, the recent actions of the BCCI pertaining to the ICC’s revenue distribution is quite appalling. For the richest and most powerful cricket board in the world, the BCCI has been acting like a petulant child over the latest changes in the revenue distribution model. Things have escalated to the point that the BCCI is considering to boycott the Champions Trophy event that will take place in a few weeks time. Here we tell why the BCCI must not do that and look at the case for BCCI sending a second string team to the Champions Trophy.
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It all stems back to the ‘Big Three’ revenue distribution model in which the BCCI, CA and ECB would get a majority share of the revenue generated by the ICC. But there has been a recent change to the model as a result of which the other associate nations will be allotted more money which has in turn infuriated the BCCI.
The BCCI are flexing their status as the most powerful board in the world, as they hold the ICC to ransom. Yes the BCCI does stand to lose a lot of money but it is not as if they will be greatly affected will they?
This is what Amitabh Choudhary, the BCCI representative at the ICC meetings last week, told to the press.
“Why do you forget that a disproportionate share of revenues to cricket comes from India? It’s very easy and misleading to say that India is getting a disproportionate share,” Choudhary reiterated.
“The facts are that over 70 per cent of cricket’s revenue world over comes from the Indian market. That [the $293 million offered by the ICC] is not even close to the contribution that India makes.”
Also, it is in the best interests of the game that more and more associate countries get funds in order to spread and develop the game in their country. The BCCI should be helping the ICC in their efforts to bring in other countries into the cricketing community.
But with sides deadlocked at the moment, common sense needs to prevail and a middle ground needs to be established.
The Indian cricket team is arguably the most popular cricket team in the world which is supported by the largest fan base in the world. Fans have traveled from far and wide to see India defend their Champions Trophy in England and it would be a huge slap in their face if India backs out at the last moment.
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What the BCCI could possibly do is send a second string team to the tournament. In this way they would not be breaching any Members Participation Agreement (MPA) that mandates member nations to participate in ICC global tournaments. This would also send a strong message across all other boards as well as the ICC that the BCCI may do the same for their bilateral tours.
India has been doing this for other tours such as the ones to Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. Now while this may sound quite unprofessional on the BCCI’s behalf, we must not forget that they have shown a blatant lack of professionalism in the proceedings so far.
This could potentially lead to huge issues, including the ability for India to organize any ICC tournaments in the future.
