Proposed ICC revenue model threatens growth of game, say Associate Members

Many Associate member boards fear the proposed new international revenue-distribution model, which heavily favours the game’s superpowers, could potentially stall the growth of the game. The ICC has proposed a new revenue-sharing model for the 2024-27 cycle to be voted on at its July board meeting in Durban.

Sumod Damodar, vice-chairman of Botswana’s board and one of the three Associate member representatives on the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee, said the proposal would not meet the needs of Associate members.

“If what is being proposed and discussed is likely to be the outcome then, as an Associate member representative, I would be [disappointed],” he told Reuters. “There are numerous practical reasons why it would be inadequate for Associate members.”

Damodar said Associate members who have earned ODI status need more money to sustain their high-performance programmes, while the others need cash to bridge the gap. Citing the rapid rise of Nepal in men’s cricket and Thailand in the women’s game, Damodar said more countries would step up if they were given the required financial support.

Vanuatu Cricket Association chief executive Tim Cutler said the proposed model would only accentuate the inequality between cricket’s haves and have-nots.

“The new model is now even more heavily weighted towards the bigger cricketing nations, and there is a risk that the proposed changes will exacerbate this imbalance, putting the future of the game at further risk,” Cutler told Reuters. “The sad reality is cricket will not grow beyond its current corners of the world… if the allocation of the game’s global funds aren’t more equally allocated with a view to actually growing the game.”

With Full Members having 12 of the 17 total votes on the ICC board, Cutler said diverting funds away from themselves – or making independent decisions for the good of the game – would be like “turkeys voting for Christmas”.

The ICC did not respond to a request for comment when asked about the concerns of the Associate members.

Over-dependence on India a big risk – former PCB chairman

“One of the biggest risks for global cricket is its over-dependence on one country – India – for a major part of the revenues generated,” the former PCB chairman told Reuters. “Countries like the USA and the Middle East and, in longer term, China would bring enormous benefits to the ICC, its members and the global game. World cricket would be stronger and richer for it.”

For Mani, India grabbing the lion’s share of ICC revenues “makes no sense”, and he advocated equal shares for all Full Members.

“World cricket needs a strong West Indies, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan,” he further said. “Cricket in Zimbabwe has suffered due to lack of funds, as have Ireland and Afghanistan. Lack of investment in some of these countries will make the game unsustainable, and world cricket will be poorer for it.”