BCCI on the verge of pulling out of all ICC events

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is currently in process of revoking the 2014 International Cricket Council (ICC) Members Participation Agreement (MPA) and are set to write a letter to the ICC on Tuesday. The BCCI’s firm yet drastic steps comes close on the heels of a Board meeting in Dubai where members voted on the freshly proposed ICC financial model.

India was outvoted 13-1, as nine full members, three associate members and the ICC chairman himself voted in favour of the new model. Under the revamped model, India’s revenue share will reduce from $570 million to $293 million, the former figure being the BCCI’s share under the 2014 ‘Big Three’ model.

However, the ICC also offered an additional $100 as a settlement, only to be struck down by Amitabh Choudhary, India’s representative to the ICC Board meeting. The Special General Meeting which is to be held on May 7 will further discuss the offer made by the ICC. If the BCCI were to revoke the MPA, it would entail pulling out of all ICC events in the ongoing 2015-2023 rights cycle. As things stand now, the BCCI letter to the ICC simply issues a threat, and a majority of the BCCI members have agreed to send the critical letter.

The first of the upcoming ICC events is the Champions Trophy in England, beginning June 1, followed by the ICC U-19 World Cup in New Zealand early next year. The ICC Women’s World T20 is slated for November 2018, while England is scheduled to host the men’s 50-over World Cup in 2019. Moreover, India themselves have the responsibility of hosting the 2023 50-over World Cup.

Nevertheless, revoking the MPA could have some serious ramifications to India’s cricketing future, and might be disadvantageous to their interests as well. The Committee of Administrators (COA) appointed by the Supreme Court cannot override the decision of the SGM, as the formal decision is with the general body. In case the committee is dissatisfied with the decisions taken at the general body, it will have to move court and seek intervention.

However, a source has clarified the consequences that the BCCI might have to face if they decide to revoke the MPA.

“If you pull out of all international cricket (ICC events), you will have to face consequences. Mind you, not one country has supported India (in the ICC voting). The IPL could be in jeopardy, for the overseas cricketers need NOCs from their respective cricket boards to participate in the tournament. After the additional $100 million offer, the amount of loss is not worth fighting with the whole world,” the source said.

“The BCCI can more than make up for that by playing three extra bilateral matches per year. Broadcast rights value for India’s bilateral matches is Rs 45 crore per game,” he added.

Earlier, in an interview with the Indian Express, Choudhary categorically said that the $293 million revenue share as per the new model is ‘not in proportion’. “It is not anywhere even close to the contribution that India makes. So it’s not fair,” he said firmly. He also mentioned that the $100 million settlement offer from the ICC is “far less than what India deserves fairly.”

Some members of the BCCI also fear that India might be isolated from international cricket and cease to be the dominant nation in the sport. However, Choudhary rebuffed it with no ifs and buts, saying, “The force of the market — India can never get isolated. India will never get isolated irrespective of what happens in the future.”