Players, ICC on collision course over sponsorships

The ICC Champions Trophy to be played in Sri Lanka from Sept 12 and the World Cup 2003, both are threatened with star players rebelling over marketing rights over which the controlling body of the game the International Cricket Council (ICC) wants to impose restriction on players who are contracted with rival sponsors of the ICC organised competitions.

According to ICC spokesman Brendon McClements protection to ICC tournament sponsors was agreed by all the cricket boards in 2000 which helped them secure US$550m commercial rights agreement for its events through 2007. For the Champions Trophy and the next World Cup, US$102 miilion of this money will be distributed to the boards and the participating players, says the ICC man.

However matters are still in a limbo because the deadline for the players to sign the contract to stick with the ICC sponsors has been ignored by Australia, England, New Zealand and Indiawho are most likely to challenge ICC's stand and their attempt to encourage players to pull out of their existing contracts from the rival sponsors and advertisers.

Tim May, Chief Executive of the Federation of International Cricketers' Association says that' ICC's demand is not only unreasonable but unlawful' and the players could face legal action by their own sponsors if ICC forces them to pull out from what they call 'ambush sponsors'.

England and Australian players do not have personal deals or contracts which would clash with ICC four main sponsors, Pepsi, Hero Honda, South African Airlines and LG Electronics but their stand is that of principle. However, for the Indians who have an extensive marketing base, the matter is too complicated.

Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly and four other players have deals with Samsung,the rival of LG and if they pull out of it they may have to pay huge bills for legal action taken by Samsung. India are not naming the team for the Champions Trophy it in case the players refuse to sign the contract initiated by the ICC.

There is a possibilty too that if the players do not co-operate with the ICC and their respective board's policy they may be replaced by other players which indeed will devalue not only the Champion Trophy but also the World Cup, somthing the ICC can ill-afford that.

ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed says."If a player now finds that, through his own action he has to put his own commercial interest ahead of his ability to play for his country he needs to decide what is more important to him, the money or playing for his own country'.

The ICC and the players are now on a collision course.