MCC Calls for Overhaul of Cricket’s Financial Model to Ensure Fair Distribution and Support Touring Teams
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has issued a call for significant changes to the way funds are distributed in bilateral cricket series. The MCC’s World Cricket Committee (WCC), following a comprehensive financial review, has suggested a reevaluation of the existing model for touring in order to ensure a more equitable distribution of revenues.
The WCC has raised concerns about the current financial dynamics of international cricket, which place a disproportionate burden on visiting teams, who incur travel expenses without receiving sufficient financial benefits. During its latest assembly in Cape Town, coinciding with the SA20 event, the committee emphasized the necessity of addressing this financial imbalance. The committee highlighted that revenues currently remain with the host nation, a practice rooted in traditional expectations of reciprocal touring agreements.
The committee has pointed out that such practices have led to growing disparities, urging a reassessment of the system. It recommends a study on the effects of host countries covering the costs associated with visiting teams as a strategy for redistributing wealth and enhancing the significance of future bilateral series. “This examination should be included in a larger review of the international game’s overall expenses, a move initiated after the WCC’s July 2023 gathering,” the WCC articulated.
Despite the push from cricket authorities worldwide for host nations to divide the proceeds from bilateral series with the visiting teams, resistance remains, notably from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The BCCI, which benefits significantly from hosting bilateral series, contrasts sharply with the minimal earnings of other boards, even when hosting the Indian team. The BCCI’s response to these recommendations, if presented to the International Cricket Council (ICC), will be closely watched.
Moreover, the WCC expressed concerns about the current Future Tours Programme (FTP) and its disproportionate impact on certain countries, limiting their access to prime playing periods and opponents. The committee advocates for a fairer distribution of matches starting in the next cycle in 2028 to allow all nations equal access to crucial calendar slots and competitive play.
Kumar Sangakkara, the WCC chair, emphasized the need for bold leadership and a collective vision to navigate the vast opportunities and significant challenges facing cricket. “For the sport to flourish, it is imperative for there to be a stronger camaraderie among all member nations and stakeholders,” Sangakkara stated, highlighting the importance of unity and strategic collaboration in advancing cricket on a global scale.