WICB Could Lose US$15M in ICC Contract Dispute

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) could lose up to US$15 million if the contract dispute between the ICC and the players is not resolved.

Along with the other nine full ICC members, the WICB would get US$8.85 million for participating in the mini-World Cup tournament in Sri Lanka and next year's World Cup in South Africa but a simmering tiff between the ICC and unions representing the players over sponsorship money is threatening to toss that money out of the window.

For the cash-strapped WICB, there is also the possibility the takings could exceed $15 million, when the prize money of US$6 million is taken into account, according to a report in Wednesday's Barbados Nation.

Although no West Indian player has an individual endorsement deal that is directly affected by the proposed ICC contract, the 14-man squad for the tournament has been directed by the West Indies Players' Association (WIPA) to unite with the Federation of International Cricketers Associations (FICA) and refuse to sign the contracts.

According to the newspaper, the Caribbean board is required to sign the Participating Nations Agreement (PNA) which covers a commitment to send a full-strength team to both tournaments.

"If its leading players absent themselves, (the WICB) is likely to be heavily fined by the ICC, losing money that it cannot afford at a time when it has lost US$15 million over the last three years," according to the newspaper..

The ICC is demanding players relinquish personal sponsorships that conflict with its own official business partners as part of a US$550 million pact for commercial rights it signed with Global Cricket Corporation (GCC) two years ago.

India's players have already refused to sign the contract and FICA has also gained support from Australia, South Africa and the West Indies main cricketers. According to the Nation, Bangladesh, England, Holland, Kenya, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka Zimbabwe have had no problems with the contracts.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is contemplating sending a second string team if the players don't sign the ICC contract.