Abdullah719
T20I Captain
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2013
- Runs
- 44,825
Australia’s cricketers have sought multi-million dollar lines of credit and the financial support of private benefactors as they prepare themselves for a protracted industrial dispute with Cricket Australia, believing the organisation wants to “starve” them out.
The Australian Cricketers Association is preparing for a worst-case scenario that could see its players unemployed for 12 months — a situation which would affect this summer’s Ashes, the Big Bash League and numerous other tours.
The ACA has not ruled out seeking its own broadcast and sponsorship deals as it now owns the intellectual property rights of all Australia’s senior cricketers.
Mitchell Starc has already gone out on his own and signed a deal with Audi, a company in competition with Toyota, one of CA’s major sponsors. Another high-profile player confirmed to T he Australian he had had some contact with McDonald’s — a rival of Big Bash sponsor KFC.
Other players are said to be exploring similar deals but all will face an issue if the dispute is ever resolved as they have been warned they cannot sign a new contract with CA if they have deals with rival sponsors.
The ACA confirmed yesterday that it was digging in for a protracted dispute. “The ACA in the process of securing a multimillion-dollar line of credit to support the unemployed players to counter attempts by CA to starve them out,” a spokesman said.
“Major international financial institutions have shown strong interests in supporting the players at this difficult time. The ACA is fielding support from private individuals who are also willing to back this move.”
The Australian understands that Sydney broadcaster Alan Jones, a member of the ACA advisory board, has been approached to help out if needed. Jones did not respond to messages yesterday.
Some senior players have also held up their hand to assist domestic players who will struggle to exist while unemployed.
CA told players, most of whom are training for no money, that they will receive no back pay if a new deal is signed and is directing the salaries to a grassroots fund.
Despite both parties preparing for a long battle, there were positive reports last night about significant progress being made in meetings yesterday.
One source close to the players said the ACA believes that if Kerry Packer could run World Series Cricket in the 1970s then they could do the same if CA continues with the lockout.
The standoff is a major problem for the Nine Network, which must take its Ashes package to the market place in such uncertain times. The broadcaster pays $100m a year for television rights and looks to recoup most of that investment during the Ashes, which only comes around every four years, as other tours do not generate as much interest.
Financial analyst UBS recently advised Channel 9 not to pay so much when rights for the next four years come up, estimating the broadcaster loses $30-40m a year on the existing deal.
Australian captain Steve Smith signalled on the weekend that players were willing to give ground but that the revenue share model, which has been in place for 19 years, must remain.
CA wants the revenue share model removed so it can direct more money to grassroots cricket.
The male players have a $58.4m payment — their share of revenues above projection in the last MOU period — due in October. The ACA is understood to be examining a way to use this to assist those in financial need, but that can only happen with the approval of players it is owed to. CA has tried to argue that half this money should be used to underwrite wages in the next MOU period — a move the players reject.
The ACA’s executive manager Tim Cruikshank is travelling to India to shop around the players to sponsors and broadcasters, but people familiar with Indian sports sponsorship were cynical about what would be achieved.
Some 230 professional cricketers have been unemployed since players and administrators failed to agree on a new MOU at the end of June — 70 domestic players on multi-year contracts remain on the payroll but are refusing to play in support of their colleagues.
The Australian A tour to South Africa was cancelled and next month’s Test tour of Bangladesh is the next major hurdle.
It is, however, the seven ODI matches against India in October that will put the most pressure on administrators.
Australia-India series are huge money-spinners for the host nations and the BCCI’s broadcast partners would be very upset if they could not provide the promised cricket. India sent the West Indies a $55m bill for cancelling a series in 2014.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...k=e9824ae6b7c988f0b6d5d7fc9bfd515c-1499723562
The Australian Cricketers Association is preparing for a worst-case scenario that could see its players unemployed for 12 months — a situation which would affect this summer’s Ashes, the Big Bash League and numerous other tours.
The ACA has not ruled out seeking its own broadcast and sponsorship deals as it now owns the intellectual property rights of all Australia’s senior cricketers.
Mitchell Starc has already gone out on his own and signed a deal with Audi, a company in competition with Toyota, one of CA’s major sponsors. Another high-profile player confirmed to T he Australian he had had some contact with McDonald’s — a rival of Big Bash sponsor KFC.
Other players are said to be exploring similar deals but all will face an issue if the dispute is ever resolved as they have been warned they cannot sign a new contract with CA if they have deals with rival sponsors.
The ACA confirmed yesterday that it was digging in for a protracted dispute. “The ACA in the process of securing a multimillion-dollar line of credit to support the unemployed players to counter attempts by CA to starve them out,” a spokesman said.
“Major international financial institutions have shown strong interests in supporting the players at this difficult time. The ACA is fielding support from private individuals who are also willing to back this move.”
The Australian understands that Sydney broadcaster Alan Jones, a member of the ACA advisory board, has been approached to help out if needed. Jones did not respond to messages yesterday.
Some senior players have also held up their hand to assist domestic players who will struggle to exist while unemployed.
CA told players, most of whom are training for no money, that they will receive no back pay if a new deal is signed and is directing the salaries to a grassroots fund.
Despite both parties preparing for a long battle, there were positive reports last night about significant progress being made in meetings yesterday.
One source close to the players said the ACA believes that if Kerry Packer could run World Series Cricket in the 1970s then they could do the same if CA continues with the lockout.
The standoff is a major problem for the Nine Network, which must take its Ashes package to the market place in such uncertain times. The broadcaster pays $100m a year for television rights and looks to recoup most of that investment during the Ashes, which only comes around every four years, as other tours do not generate as much interest.
Financial analyst UBS recently advised Channel 9 not to pay so much when rights for the next four years come up, estimating the broadcaster loses $30-40m a year on the existing deal.
Australian captain Steve Smith signalled on the weekend that players were willing to give ground but that the revenue share model, which has been in place for 19 years, must remain.
CA wants the revenue share model removed so it can direct more money to grassroots cricket.
The male players have a $58.4m payment — their share of revenues above projection in the last MOU period — due in October. The ACA is understood to be examining a way to use this to assist those in financial need, but that can only happen with the approval of players it is owed to. CA has tried to argue that half this money should be used to underwrite wages in the next MOU period — a move the players reject.
The ACA’s executive manager Tim Cruikshank is travelling to India to shop around the players to sponsors and broadcasters, but people familiar with Indian sports sponsorship were cynical about what would be achieved.
Some 230 professional cricketers have been unemployed since players and administrators failed to agree on a new MOU at the end of June — 70 domestic players on multi-year contracts remain on the payroll but are refusing to play in support of their colleagues.
The Australian A tour to South Africa was cancelled and next month’s Test tour of Bangladesh is the next major hurdle.
It is, however, the seven ODI matches against India in October that will put the most pressure on administrators.
Australia-India series are huge money-spinners for the host nations and the BCCI’s broadcast partners would be very upset if they could not provide the promised cricket. India sent the West Indies a $55m bill for cancelling a series in 2014.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...k=e9824ae6b7c988f0b6d5d7fc9bfd515c-1499723562
