The International Cricket Council (ICC) is facing scrutiny over its proposed finance model, which has raised concerns among Associate member boards.
These boards fear that the new international revenue-distribution model, heavily biased towards powerful cricket nations, could impede the growth of the game. Former ICC president Ehsan Mani emphasized the risks of relying too heavily on India for a major portion of cricket revenues.
The ICC has put forward a new revenue-sharing model for the 2024-2027 cycle, which will be voted on during the July board meeting in Durban. The proposed model grants the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) a significant share of 38.5 per cent of the annual earnings, acknowledging its substantial contribution to the commercial revenue pool. The 12 Full Members of the ICC would collectively receive 88.81 per cent of the earnings, with the remaining distributed among the 94 Associate members.
Under the new ICC finance model, the BCCI is projected to earn around $230 million per year between 2024-2027, accounting for 38.5 per cent of the ICC’s annual earnings of $600 million. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is estimated to earn $34.51 million (5.75 per cent) per year.
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Other cricket boards, such as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Australia (CA), could earn $41.33 million (6.89 per cent) and $37.53 million (6.25 per cent) respectively. The remaining eight Full Members would receive less than 5 per cent each. Out of the projected $600 million revenue pool, the 12 Full Members would receive $532.84 million (88.81 per cent), with the remaining $67.16 million (11.19 per cent) allocated to the Associate Members.
These figures are based on the estimated earnings of the ICC, which amount to over $3.2 billion solely from the sale of media rights. The recent sale of these rights across five separate regions globally, including the Indian market, has contributed to this substantial amount.
The ICC has not officially commented on the figures yet, but the general manager, Wasim Khan, stated earlier that all members would receive more money under the proposed model compared to previous arrangements. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has already voiced its opposition to the current shape of the model, and discontent is brewing among other cricketing nations that are less developed.
Representatives of Associate members, including Sumod Damodar, vice-chairman of Botswana’s board, have expressed dissatisfaction with the proposal, claiming that it fails to address the needs of Associate members. Damodar emphasized that Associate members, who have attained One Day International (ODI) status, require more financial support to sustain their high-performance programs, while other Associate members need funding to bridge the gap. He pointed out the rapid rise of Nepal in men’s cricket and Thailand in women’s cricket as examples of the potential for growth if adequate financial support is provided.
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Tim Cutler, chief executive of the Vanuatu Cricket Association, argued that the proposed model would only widen the inequality between cricket’s established and developing nations. He expressed concerns that the suggested changes would further exacerbate this imbalance, posing a risk to the future of the game. Cutler highlighted the importance of allocating global funds more equitably to promote the growth of cricket beyond its current boundaries.
Ehsan Mani, former ICC president, criticized the lack of vision within the governing body regarding the development of cricketing nations, despite their significant commercial potential. He stressed that the game faces a major risk due to its heavy reliance on India for revenue generation.
Mani advocated for equal shares for all Full Members, emphasizing the importance of a strong presence from cricketing nations such as the West Indies, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. He highlighted the adverse impact of insufficient investment on countries like Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Afghanistan, stating that the game’s sustainability and overall prosperity would be jeopardized.
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