PCB expresses discontent with ICC’s proposed revenue distribution model

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has publicly expressed its dissatisfaction with the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) proposed revenue distribution model. The model, which is yet to be finalized but is nearing completion, has received criticism from the PCB, which has stated that it will not approve the model without further details on its workings.

According to the proposed model, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to receive 38.5% of the projected annual ICC earnings of $600 million. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) would receive a 6.89% share, Cricket Australia (CA) 6.25%, and the PCB 5.75%. The remaining Full Member boards would receive less than 5% annually.

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These shares are determined based on four criteria: equal share for Full Member status, variable shares for cricket history and performance at ICC events for both men and women, and a share based on the commercial contribution each board makes to the game. The commercial contribution weightage is the key differentiating factor, which gives the BCCI a larger share.

Najam Sethi, the current head of the PCB, has called for more clarity on how these figures were determined. Sethi emphasized the need for the ICC to provide detailed information before the PCB approves the financial model in June. He expressed the PCB’s discontent with the current situation and their insistence on understanding the basis of the proposed model.

The PCB was among the dissenting voices when the “Big Three” (BCCI, ECB, and CA) attempted to restructure the game’s administrative and financial model in 2014. The proposed financial model follows similar principles but has raised concerns among several cricket boards. While the PCB has taken a public stance against the model, no other board has officially commented on it. Sethi mentioned that two other Test-playing countries have also sought more information on the model’s workings.

Sethi acknowledged that India deserves a larger share but emphasized the need for transparency in developing the proposed revenue distribution table. The current model signifies a significant increase in income for all Full Member boards compared to the previous cycle, mainly due to the lucrative broadcast rights deals. The ICC’s decision to break down and sell rights separately across different territories has resulted in a substantial increase in revenue, particularly from the Indian market.

As the finalization of the revenue distribution model approaches, the PCB’s discontent raises questions about the fairness and transparency of the proposed system. The details and workings of the model will play a crucial role in determining the distribution of revenue among cricket boards, impacting the financial stability and growth of the game globally.