Windies Players 'Under Protest'

Sat, Jan 13, '07

by RYAN PATRICK

The West Indies cricket team has made it clear that it is wearing Digicel-branded clothing on the upcoming ODI tour of India under heavy protest.

That's because the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) is not paying the players a sponsorship split for the four-match series, which begins in Nagpur on January 21.

According to a clause in the MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) between the WICB and WIPA, the board must get the approval of the players -- and negotiate separate match/tour/sponsorship feels -- for any matches that fall outside of the ICC Future Tours Program.

However, according to internal documents seen by CaribbeanCricket.com, the WICB negotiated the ODI series with India without WIPA's knowledge or consent, leading to a situation where the players were told at the last minute that there is no money to share.

The issue naturally led to a tiff between the two sides that almost led to a cancellation of the games, which is being billed as a "warm up" series ahead of the 2007 World Cup tournament. It delayed the formal announcement of the squad and threatens to disrupt the peace that has been in place since the retainer contract squabble.

It all begin in February 2006 ahead of the Indian tour of the Caribbean when there was an attempt by the Indian cricket board to reduce the series from four Tests to three.

At the time, the WICB quietly agreed to play four ODIs (this upcoming series) in India in exchange for the extra Test, an arrangement that was never communicated to WIPA. This, WIPA contends, is a violation of the MoU.

According to the a WICB director who briefed CaribbeanCricket.com on the condition that he remain anonymous, the board "desperately needed" the extra Test match in the Caribbean to keep its obligations to Digicel and to improve its financial consideration.

When the Indian board demanded the ODI series in return, the WICB pounced on the opportunity, believing it would serve as perfect match-practice ahead of the World Cup and -- more importantly -- present a lucrative avenue for bilateral ODI tournaments like the DLF Cup in Malaysia.

In that tournament, which was held outside the Future Tours Program, the WICB received US$1 million per game for the two matches against Indian and a US$1 million bonus for reaching the final of the DLF Cup.

The $3 million earnings from that tournament -- and a sponsorship fee -- were split between the players and the board.

This time around, because these four ODIs are in exchange for the extra Test match in 2006, the board isn't getting any money from the BCCI. "This tour is a big loss for us. We're covering our own expenses, paying match fees to the players and not getting any money from the Indian board," the director explained.

And, because the Digicel contract covers all home and away tours (even those outside the FTP), the WICB cannot search for an outside sponsor and must fulfill its obligations, which includes Digicel branding on the players' clothing.

During meetings and correspondence with WIPA in recent weeks, the WICB explained that the "trade-off arrangement" with Indian board would trigger a loss and pleaded for the players' "understanding" and sacrifice.

After a series of meetings, WIPA agreed to compromise but made it clear the players would "take the unprecedented position of reluctantly wearing the sponsor’s logo Digicel without receiving any sponsorship fee for this tour only," according to documentation seen by CaribbeanCricket.com.

The players will sign the standard match/tour contract with certain conditions, including the public notice that it is endorsing the major sponsor under protest.

"WIPA's position ... is being adopted only for this tour and, under no circumstances, should be construed as a precedent for similar tours in the future," the association said.

Because the World Cup and the tour to England also fall outside the ICC FTP, WIPA has formally requested that the board come to the table to finalise match/tour/sponsorship fees early, without the eleventh hour posturing.

"I wish to point out that the players have, with much reluctance, agreed to participate in this tour. Much effort was required to persuade them to wear a sponsor’s logo without being the recipient of any benefits from such a sponsor," WIPA president Dinanath Ramnarine said in a letter to the board.

"I hope this may not appear to be trite when I let you know that they have stated that their participation in this tour under these conditions is essentially because of their commitment and loyalty to West Indies cricket. The players further stated that they are only participating in this tournament under the proposed terms since they believe that these matches will help with their preparations for the World Cup and they are committed to doing all that is necessary on their part for a successful World Cup."

"Their participation again under the conditions, referred to above, is an isolated occasion, and, I repeat, should not be construed as a precedent for matches outside the Future Tour Programme," Ramnarine added.