CHENNAI: A number of BCCI members are of the opinion that the proposed new ICC revenue model will affect the board’s well-being and their appeal to file an application regarding this was accepted on Monday by the Supreme Court.
This means these state associations can approach the court to explain their stand on the matter.
The BCCI lawyer Kapil Sibal’s argument was members’ view on this should be heard because if the BCCI’s share of ICC profits is reduced, the units will suffer a cut.
The court-appointed committee’s (COA) lawyer countered that this should not be entertained since none had submitted letters of compliance. Justice Dipak Misra’s bench still allowed the state bodies to file their application. Although there is lack of clarity over the exact number of state associations who have approached the court, sources said Tamil Nadu, Saurashtra, Haryana and Jharkhand are among them.
“The BCCI members should be allowed to hold a meeting to discuss ramifications of the proposed revenue structure, which clearly ignores the BCCI’s interests. Members suffer if the BCCI suffers, so it’s fair that members express their views on this. So we want the court’s permission to hold a formal meeting. Let the court decide the COA’s role in this.
The BCCI’s annual income will go down by over 200 crores per year in the new model,” said a member of an association that has approached the court.
They want the BCCI representative at the ICC meeting in April to oppose the sharing structure designed under the chairmanship of Shashank Manohar and take a strong stand, which may even mean pulling out of Champions Trophy. Their problem is, the COA decides who attends the meeting. The one earlier this month was attended by Vikram Limaye, one of the four COA members.
“Although Limaye also opposed the new model, it appeared later that the COA supports an equalitarian model,” said a member of another association.
“But they don’t know the finer points, of how things in ICC work. If need be, we want a dialogue with the COA and explain why should not accept the Manohar formula. Considering the the volume of money at stake, this is important for the BCCI’s financial health.”
atreyo@newindianexpress.com