BCCI to get lion’s share of ICC’s annual net earnings

JUST IN: Equal prize money announced for men’s and women’s teams at ICC events.

Details 👇

— ICC (@ICC) July 13, 2023

ICC Chair Greg Barclay said: “The success of our media rights and commercial programme for our next four-year cycle means we are able to invest more money than ever before into our sport. All Members will receive a base distribution and then additional revenue will be in relation to contribution to the global game both on and off the field.

This is by far the largest level of investment ever to go into cricket and it’s a once in a generation opportunity for our Members to accelerate growth and engage more players and fans and drive competitiveness. “I’m delighted that the board has also committed to a strategic investment fund which will help to accelerate the delivery of our Global Growth Strategy.”

Arun Dhumal, the IPL chairman, who attended ICC CEC (Chief Executive Meeting) said that BCCI secretary Jay Shah had convinced the other cricket boards to agree to a proposal for a bigger share. “There was no argument actually. Shah had talks with other boards and made them understand why it is fair that India gets a bigger share. We want to improve our domestic cricket and the more our cricket improves the more we can feed world cricket,” Dhumal told The Indian Express.

Equal prize money

Equal prize money for men’s and women’s teams at its global events to bring in pay parity was also announced by the ICC. In the last 50 over men’s World Cup, England, the champions received $4million.

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐝𝐚𝐰𝐧. 𝐀𝐧 𝐞𝐫𝐚 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 & 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

I am thrilled to announce that a major step towards gender parity & inclusivity has been undertaken. The prize money at all @ICC events will be same for men & women. Together we grow.…

— Jay Shah (@JayShah) July 13, 2023

“This is a significant moment in the history of our sport, and I am delighted that men’s and women’s cricketers competing at ICC global events will now be rewarded equally. Since 2017 we have increased prize money at women’s events every year with a clear focus on reaching equal prize money and from here on in, winning the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup will carry the same prize money as winning the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and the same for T20 World Cups and U19s too,” Barclay said in the press release.

It is learnt that BCCI secretary Shah played a key role as the head of the financial and commercial affairs committee which drove the initiative of pay parity. The Indian board last year had decided to have equal pay for men and women.

Shah tweeted, “I am thrilled to announce that a major step towards gender parity & inclusivity has been undertaken. The prize money at all @ICC events will be the same for men & women. Together we grow.”

Four overseas players

Going ahead, the teams in new franchise leagues will allow only four foreign players in their squad. With leagues mushrooming around the globe, ICC members felt there was a need to place restrictions on foreign players’ participation. Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Committee approved changes to over-rate sanctions in Test cricket to balance the need for over-rates to be maintained and ensure players are appropriately remunerated.

“As such players will be fined 5% of their match fee for each over short up to a maximum of 50%. If a team is bowled out before the new ball is due at 80 overs, there will be no over-rate penalty applied even if there is a slow over rate. This replaces the current 60 over threshold,” ICC said in its press release.