New BCCI bosses searching for ways to soften ICC revenue blow
The BCCI’s Supreme Court-appointed administrators are looking at ways to prevent the hit it will take when the world body ratifies a new revenue model.
The Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (COA) is set to launch a strong defence to protect the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) revenue that will take a hit when the revised financial model, accepted in principle by the International Cricket Council under independent chairman Shashank Manohar, is accepted.
The BCCI only managed to get the Sri Lankan Board to vote against it when the new revenue model was proposed in the ICC Board meeting early in February.
The proposal will now be put to vote in April’s meeting, but with Manohar having said “the principle of change is agreed and not for debate”, there seems to be scope for only minor alterations before it is finalised.
Internal discussions
It is learnt emails are regularly being exchanged between the COA and the Board chief executive Rahul Johri to study previous revenue models.
Although several BCCI members feel the administrators are not too bothered about the Board losing a huge chunk of revenue due to the revised model, a source close to the COA confirmed that its first goal is to safeguard India’s interest.
“The COA is not just going by the numbers devised by the ICC, which are hypothetical. Of course, like all other BCCI members, they too are concerned that India shouldn’t take a big hit in the revenue share from the ICC. At the same time, the COA will also ensure India is not perceived as a bully by other members.
“It is important to send the right signal to the world that the BCCI is all for the game to prosper. However, it shouldn’t come at a cost that others overtake us in the race,” the source told HT on Saturday.
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During former ICC chairman N Srinivasan’s regime, BCCI earned around 20 per cent of the total ICC revenue under the ‘Big Three’ pact with England and Australia Boards.
However, Manohar has initiated steps to reverse that 2014 revenue model, which will substantially reduce the revenue share of the Big Three. The BCCI will be the biggest loser with an almost six percent cut.
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Most state associations are unhappy with the ICC’s current stand, where most of its decisions are affecting BCCI. However, Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president, Sourav Ganguly, declined comment on the revised financial model. “I have not followed, so I won’t be able to make a comment,” said the former India skipper, who was in Mumbai for a promotional event.
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COA nod to float tenders
The COA has given its approval to float tenders for the Team India jersey logo sponsorship and IPL title rights. The contract with Star India for the India team is coming to an end in March while Vivo mobile’s tenure as IPL title sponsor ends with the 2017 edition.
(With inputs from Bihan Sengupta)