Proposed ICC Revenue Model Threatens Growth of Cricket, Associate Members Express Concern

Associate member nations of cricket, who have been struggling financially, are apprehensive about the new proposed international revenue distribution model. They believe that the model, which heavily favors the powerful cricket nations, could potentially hinder the growth of the sport.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has put forward a revenue sharing model for the 2024-27 cycle, which will be voted on during the July board meeting in Durban.

Leaked figures obtained by Cricinfo reveal that India, the financial powerhouse of cricket, would claim a significant portion of 38.5% in recognition of its contribution to the commercial revenue pool.

The 12 full members of the ICC would collectively receive 88.81% of the revenue, leaving the remaining percentage to be distributed among the 94 associate members.

While the ICC has not commented on these figures, their general manager, Wasim Khan, stated that all members would receive more money under the proposed model compared to previous arrangements.

Pakistan has already expressed opposition to the current shape of the model, and discontent is brewing among other less-developed cricketing nations.

Sumod Damodar, one of the three associate member representatives on the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee, expressed disappointment with the proposal, stating that it does not address the needs of associate members.

“As an associate member representative, I would be disappointed if the proposed outcome aligns with the current discussions,” Damodar told Reuters. “There are numerous practical reasons why it would be inadequate for associate members.”

Damodar, who serves as the vice chairman of Botswana’s board, emphasized that associate members who have earned One-Day International (ODI) status require more financial support to sustain their high-performance programs, while others need funds to bridge the gap.

Highlighting the rapid rise of teams like Nepal in men’s cricket and Thailand in women’s cricket, Damodar asserted that more countries would progress if they received the necessary financial backing.

Tim Cutler, the Chief Executive of the Vanuatu Cricket Association, expressed concerns that the proposed model would further exacerbate the inequality between cricket’s major and minor nations.

“The new model is even more heavily weighted towards the larger cricketing nations, and there is a risk that these changes will worsen the existing imbalance, jeopardizing the future of the game,” Cutler explained to Reuters.

He added, “The unfortunate reality is that cricket will not expand beyond its current borders if the distribution of global funds within the sport does not become more equitable and focused on growing the game.”

Considering that full members hold 12 out of the 17 total votes on the ICC board, Cutler noted that it would be difficult for them to divert funds away from themselves or make independent decisions for the betterment of the game.

When asked about the concerns raised by the associate members, the ICC did not respond to requests for comment.

Ehsan Mani, former ICC President, criticized the governing body for its lack of vision in developing cricketing nations, despite the immense commercial potential some of them possess.

“One of the biggest risks for global cricket is its over-dependence on one country, India, for a major part of the revenues generated,” stated Mani, former chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, in an interview with Reuters.

He argued that countries like the United States, the Middle East, and China could bring significant benefits to the ICC, its members, and the global game, emphasizing that a stronger and wealthier world cricket would result from equal revenue shares among all full members.

“World cricket needs a strong West Indies, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan,” Mani concluded. “Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Afghanistan have suffered due to a lack of funds, making the game