[www.inewsguyana.com] – The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is likely to claim damages of at least US$65 million from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) after the West Indies team pulled out of the tour to India. The BCCI’s working committee will decide whether to go ahead with the claim at a meeting on October 21 in Hyderabad.
West Indies had agreed to play five ODIs, a Twenty20 and three Tests in India, but pulled out after the fourth ODI, in Dharamsala, due to the players being displeased over a revision to their payment structure.
This meant that the BCCI lost out on revenue for 17 match-days. Though Sri Lanka agreed to fill in for West Indies and play five ODIs in India in November, the BCCI will still lose income for 12 match-days for the 2014 -15 season. The BCCI is likely to claim those damages from the WICB.
“We have referred the matter to our legal cell and asked them to let us know by 21st about how we can pursue the issue legally,” BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel told ESPN cricinfo, declining to elaborate on the numbers since he said they were still being computed.
“They [WICB] entered into a bilateral agreement with us, and they abandoned the tour due to their internal issues, so we will have to seek compensation. But, depending on the legal advice, the working committee will decide the future course of action.”
According the agreements signed between full members for bilateral series, each board keeps the revenue generated for their home series and incur logistics costs from the time the visiting team arrives in the country till they board a return flight.
The BCCI’s revenue is primarily generated through broadcast sponsorship, series-title sponsorship, team-title sponsorship, apparel sponsorship, minor share of advertising from host broadcaster, gate receipts and in-stadia advertising.
Since the broadcast and series-title sponsorships deals are on a per match basis, irrespective of whether it’s a T20, Test or ODI, that income is unlikely to be affected since the five cancelled matches against West Indies (three Tests, an ODI and a Twenty20) will be replaced by five ODIs against Sri Lanka. The apparel sponsorship deal is for a fixed amount, irrespective on the number of matches at home.
However, since the broadcaster’s revenue through advertising is going to be affected with the loss of 12 match-days, including a full Test series that will have an impact on the BCCI’s coffers as the board gets a minor share of advertising revenue from the host broadcaster.
Also, it is likely that Star India, the host broadcaster, may ask for a reduction in broadcast fees which they have been paying to the board.
that would be a COLLOSSAL WASTE of scarce resources . one doesn’t have to wonder then why west indies cricket is in such a poor state . where is the self respect? commitment to the game? sense of history? respect for the hosts? and respect for the west indian peoples? what a shame!
Mr Cameron is between a rock and a hard place.
Go to India and mitigate the damages Sir.
I believe you have made many bad friends when you gave Guyana the short end of the stick.
As a cricketer, do not stone.
You live in a glass house!