India Gets Revenue Boost; T20 Leagues Limited to 4 Overseas Players | Cricket Update

India Gets Revenue Boost; T20 Leagues Limited to 4 Overseas Players | Cricket Update

BCCI Solidifies Dominance in World Cricket as ICC Approves New Revenue Distribution Model

In a historic decision made during the ICC’s board meeting held in Durban, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has further established its position as the financial powerhouse of international cricket. The ICC has given its approval to a revamped revenue distribution model that solidifies the Indian board’s dominance in the sport.

While the exact financial details were not disclosed in the official ICC statement, it is widely speculated that the BCCI is set to generate an estimated $230 million per year over the next four years from the total revenue pool of $600 million. This would account for approximately 38.4 percent of the total, making it nearly six times more than the projected earnings of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), which is expected to receive around $41 million at 6.89 percent. Cricket Australia (CA) will rank second, receiving approximately $37.53 million (about 6.25 percent) from the distribution.

Another significant development arising from the ICC board meeting is the introduction of a restriction on the number of overseas cricketers allowed in playing XIs for new events. The new regulation limits the participation of overseas players to a maximum of four per team. This measure has been put in place to counter the growing influence of T20 leagues worldwide, which have been undermining the traditional international version of the game.

The ICC’s media release stated,

“The ICC Board also confirmed the largest ever investment into the sport after the distribution model for the next four years was agreed upon.” The release further highlighted that every ICC member would receive substantially increased funding, with a special strategic investment fund dedicated to driving global growth initiatives aligned with the ICC Global Growth Strategy.

Although the specific financial breakdown was not provided in the official release, an ICC board member confirmed that the BCCI would receive its rightful share for its significant contributions to the sport’s growth. Additionally, each member board is expected to earn considerably more during this cycle. ICC Chairman Greg Barclay emphasized, “All members will receive a base distribution, and additional revenue will be allocated based on their contribution to the global game, both on and off the field.” He further described this as an unprecedented opportunity to invest extensively in cricket and foster growth, player engagement, fan participation, and competitive spirit.

Player Participation Cap in New Events

The ICC has also decided that all new events, including various T20 leagues, must include a minimum of seven homegrown players or players from associate members in their playing XIs. This requirement aims to prevent mass retirements of T20 specialists from top cricketing nations. With the advent of Major League Cricket (MLC) in the United States and Saudi Arabia’s ambitious T20 project in the pipeline, stakeholders are keen to protect the sanctity of international cricket.

Furthermore, the host board of T20 events will be obligated to pay a “solidarity fee” to the home board of an overseas player. Essentially, this fee serves as a commission to acknowledge the role played by the member board in nurturing and promoting the sport globally.

Over-Rate Sanctions

In Test cricket, the Chief Executives’ Committee has approved changes to over-rate sanctions to strike a balance between maintaining required over-rates and ensuring appropriate remuneration for players. Under the new rules, players will be fined 5% of their match fee for each over that falls short, with a maximum penalty of 50%. However, if a team is bowled out before reaching 80 overs, there will be no over-rate penalty applied, even in cases of slow over-rates. This replaces the previous threshold of 60 overs.

In summary, the recent ICC board meeting has ushered in significant changes within international cricket. The BCCI’s financial prowess has been solidified with the approval of a revamped revenue distribution model, strengthening its dominant position. The introduction of restrictions on overseas player participation in new events aims to safeguard the international format of the game. Furthermore, alterations to over-rate sanctions in Test cricket seek to strike a fair balance between maintaining required over-rates and players’ remuneration. These developments mark a pivotal moment for the sport, presenting a unique opportunity for member boards to accelerate growth, engage more players and fans, and enhance competitiveness.