ST JOHN’S, Antigua – President of Cricket West Indies (CWI) Dr Kishore Shallow has come out in defense of his chief executive officer Chris Dehring, who recently called for a revamp of the ICC’s revenue model.
In describing the current model as unfair, Dehring said the world’s governing body needed to provide greater benefits for smaller cricketing nations such as the West Indies.
His comments came after it was revealed that the West Indies did not receive a share of India’s bilateral broadcast rights in the just concluded white-ball tour of India that featured three ODIs and five T20Is.
Under the current bilateral broadcasting arrangements, the board hosting an international series generally retains the revenue generated from the broadcast rights.
In an interview with Guardian Media Sports, Shallow said while Dehring’s comments were misconstrued, he was in full agreement with his colleague.
“I suspect it was sort of taken out of context what the CEO (Chris Dehring) said.
“…I think the point that Chris was making, or he tried to make, was by and large an amendment to the commercial model would help smaller members, the likes of Cricket West Indies, New Zealand, and so on,” Shallow said.
“It’s something that I’m sure is topical at the board level of the ICC, and maybe in the coming period, when there’s a discussion around that, who knows, it may be revised.”
Shallow, however, admitted that the West Indies did benefit financially from the tour of India.
He said sponsorship opportunities were secured during the tour, noting that the size and commercial influence of the Indian market had helped CWI attract partners for the One-Day International and Twenty20 International series.
“When we host India, this is one of the series that we generate significant revenue from.
“Though we don’t get a share of their broadcast deal, we do benefit from them financially from the tour,” Shallow said.
(CMC)
