Not a revenue problem, there's a revenue distribution problem in global cricket: ACA CEO Todd Greenberg

In the aftermath of the speedy wrap-up of the first Test between Australia and the West Indies, concerns about the future of Test cricket have surfaced. Todd Greenberg, CEO of the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA), has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to carefully channel funds to ensure the sustainability of the longest format. According to Greenberg, it is not a matter of lacking money in global cricket; rather, it's about how that money is distributed and where it is spent. 

“I don’t think there’s a revenue problem in global cricket, I think where the problem exists is the distribution of that revenue and then the prioritization of where that revenue is distributed and spent," he said on SEN Radio.

Highlighting the substantial revenue of the ICC, Greenberg emphasised that the game is in good financial health. However, he stressed the importance of allocating funds wisely to ensure the future of red-ball and Test cricket, not only in cricket powerhouses like India, England and Australia but also in other cricket-playing nations.

“Whether that’s in formats or globally in certain countries. I think there’s plenty of money in cricket, I mean the ICC’s global revenue is higher than it’s ever been in the game’s history, so clearly the game is in a great place,” said Greenberg.

With a modified revenue-distribution model approved in 2023, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) received a significant share, causing disparities among the full members of the ICC. Greenberg urged for a fair distribution to support Test cricket globally.

“We’ve got to make sure the money is allocated to the right areas so that in the future, red-ball cricket and Test cricket continues and thrives, not just in the big three – India, England and Australia – but in other parts of the world so we can see places like Pakistan, South Africa, West Indies, Sri Lanka and other places continue to play red-ball cricket and ensure that survives not just for our generation, but the next generation," he said.