Big 3 model gone, BCCI left alone and fuming

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 27

The Big 3 model of revenue-sharing in the International Cricket Council (ICC), which came into existence three years ago, has been broken down, despite the opposition of the Indian cricket board (BCCI). The Big 3 model had assured BCCI a sum of $570 million over eight years from ICC’s revenues; the other two members of Big 3, England and Australia, were to receive $150 million and roughly $135 million, respectively.

In the new revenue model, which was passed by a majority of 14 votes to 1 in ICC’s meetings in Dubai, BCCI would receive $293 million over the ICC’s eight-year revenue cycle; England’s share drops to $143 million. Australia’s share is $132 million, which is also the share of the other Test-playing nations (South Africa, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and West Indies). Zimbabwe’s share is $94 million, while the all Associate members combined (such as Afghanistan, Ireland, Scotland, etc) would receive a total of $280 million.

Offer to BCCI

Despite BCCI being outvoted 14-1, there are reports that the ICC’s offer of an additional $100 million to BCCI had not been withdrawn. BCCI’s representative at the ICC meeting, Amitabh Choudhury, is understood to have turned down this offer of an additional $100 million. BCCI has insisted that it wants what the Big 3 agreement, ratified by ICC, had promised it, ie up to $570 million over eight years.

BCCI’s officials are shocked and upset that they were outvoted at ICC, and especially that even its traditional allies such as Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and West Indies voted against it.

Why did these boards ditch BCCI? It is understood that the lure of financial help from ICC was a factor. The Zimbabwe board can receive up to $19 million to clear its debts and the West Indies board, perpetually in financial difficulties, has sought a grant of $40 million.

What now?

The world of cricket awaits BCCI’s response. What would BCCI do? It has already called a special general body meeting (SGM) to discuss the events of the last few days.

The Indian cricket board could decide to withdraw from the ICC Champions Trophy, which will be played in June in England and Wales. It is essentially to prevent BCCI’s withdrawal that ICC is still offering BCCI $100 million more than what the revamped revenue model promises. 

If BCCI accepts this, its revenues would go up to $393 million, a figure that is significantly short of what it originally wanted ($570 million) or what it has demanded recently ($440 million).