Internet Desk: The Indian cricketers find themselves being robbed off their dues by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). In a report published in The Times of India, it is found that the BCCI hasn’t been paying Indian cricketers the amount they deserve to be paid by way of revenue from broadcast rights. The Indian cricketers were supposed to be paid 26% of the board’s revenue from broadcast rights, but they were paid only 8% of the share.
As per a resolution passed by former BCCI President Jagmohan Dalmiya in 2001, all the domestic and international cricketers were supposed to receive 26% of the board’s revenue from broadcast rights.
This 26% share of the revenue from broadcast rights was meant to be split in three ways — 13% for international players, 10.6% for domestic players and the rest for women and juniors.
However, it is learnt that BCCI pays 70% of its gross revenue to state associations. It pays the cricketers 26% of the remaining 30% of the gross revenue, rather than 26% of the full gross revenue. The remaining 4% revenue is used for stadium construction, infrastructure maintenance and running of the board administration.
According to a BCCI official (doesn’t want to be quoted), “A major portion (70%) of the TV rights is distributed to the state associations for the purpose of development of cricket. The Indian cricketers do get paid less by only 5%. Instead of 13% share they are paid 8% but at the same time they are compensated by way of allowing them to do endorsements. Other boards like the Cricket Australia and ECB do not allow their cricketers to do endorsements.”
The Supreme Court appointed committee of administrators has also found that the players are paid a small percentage of earnings from broadcast rights. Former India women captain and a member of the COA, Diana Edulji did not want to comment on the issue. In a text message to xtratime.in she referred the matter to BCCI CEO Rahul Johri.