Talks reveal 'fundamental difference' in views

Talks between the West Indies Cricket Board and the West Indies Players Association revealed a "fundamental difference" over the issue of sponsorships and endorsements, according to a statement issued by the Board.

A 14-hour meeting in Port-of-Spain ended in stalemate with the stumbling block appearing to be how sponsorship relates to the board and its major sponsors on the one hand and players' endorsements on the other. This deadlock means that contracts for the forthcoming one-day VB Series in Australia remain unsigned.

The main disagreement involves as many as ten senior players, including Brian Lara. The players are not paid a retainer and a fair proportion of their income comes from advertising. If they sign the contract, they risk losing their image rights to the West Indies Cricket Board, which recently signed an exclusive sponsor's contract with Digicel, a regional mobile-phone provider.

"Some of the conditions stipulated by the board have nothing to do with cricket but represent an attempt to exploit the players for commercial purposes," said Dinanath Ramnarine, the players' association president and chief executive. The meeting was not unproductive, as agreement was reached on six clauses, but Ramnarine ended up by advising his players not to sign the contract.

Some have already signed and returned the contract, and the board remains confident that the issue will be settled before the squad is scheduled to assemble in Barbados on November 29.