The contracts dispute - explained
The contract dispute between the 16 senior players and the West Indies Cricket Board stems from a potential conflict between sponsors
Wisden Cricinfo staff
25-Nov-2004
Just as things were looking up for West Indies cricket - victory in
Champions Trophy and a new high-profile coach on board - the finger was again hovering over the self-destruct button with a showdown between the players and the board threatening to ravage team selection for the Australian tour. Wisden Cricinfo explains what the fuss is about.
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What is the problem?
The main issue is that the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has signed an US$20 million deal with Digicel, a major Caribbean-based telecommunications company. However, a number of players already have personal endorsement deals with a rival company, Cable & Wireless. The board wants the players to sign contracts which will prevent them from promoting any company in competition with Digicel - that might compromise their existing individual contracts with Cable & Wireless.
The main issue is that the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has signed an US$20 million deal with Digicel, a major Caribbean-based telecommunications company. However, a number of players already have personal endorsement deals with a rival company, Cable & Wireless. The board wants the players to sign contracts which will prevent them from promoting any company in competition with Digicel - that might compromise their existing individual contracts with Cable & Wireless.
Why is this such a major issue?
The main income for West Indies players comes from bonuses and third-party endorsements rather than salaries paid by the cash-strapped board. So by looking to restrict the additional income available, the players argue that their income will be seriously reduced. The WICB contract would also mean that the players forfeited a considerable portion of their image rights.
The main income for West Indies players comes from bonuses and third-party endorsements rather than salaries paid by the cash-strapped board. So by looking to restrict the additional income available, the players argue that their income will be seriously reduced. The WICB contract would also mean that the players forfeited a considerable portion of their image rights.
Weren't Cable & Wireless sponsors of West Indies at one point?
Yes. From 1986, they gave over US$50 million to West Indies cricket but they did not renew their contract after the home series against England. They will, however, sponsor the 2007 World Cup which West Indies will host.
Yes. From 1986, they gave over US$50 million to West Indies cricket but they did not renew their contract after the home series against England. They will, however, sponsor the 2007 World Cup which West Indies will host.
Who's refused to sign?
Brian Lara, Dwayne Bravo, Mervyn Dillon, Sherwin Ganga, Daren Ganga, Denesh Ramdin, Courtney Browne, Ian Bradshaw, Pedro Collins, Corey Collymore, Ryan Hinds, Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Marlon Samuels, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Devon Smith, Darren Sammy, Runako Morton. Early reports had indicated nine - but it's actually 19.
Brian Lara, Dwayne Bravo, Mervyn Dillon, Sherwin Ganga, Daren Ganga, Denesh Ramdin, Courtney Browne, Ian Bradshaw, Pedro Collins, Corey Collymore, Ryan Hinds, Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Marlon Samuels, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Devon Smith, Darren Sammy, Runako Morton. Early reports had indicated nine - but it's actually 19.
And who has signed?
Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Reon King, Narsingh Deonarine, Ricardo Powell, Deighton Butler, Dwight Washington, Xavier Marshall.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Reon King, Narsingh Deonarine, Ricardo Powell, Deighton Butler, Dwight Washington, Xavier Marshall.
What happens now?
The West Indies Players' Association (WIPA) are meeting with the refuseniks to see what they are willing to do. But being so numerous and including nearly all the big-name players, the WICB are more likely to back down.
The West Indies Players' Association (WIPA) are meeting with the refuseniks to see what they are willing to do. But being so numerous and including nearly all the big-name players, the WICB are more likely to back down.
Timeline
November 26
Tim May, chief executive of the Federation of International Cricketers Association, supports the WIPA stance: "It is ridiculous to suggest that players should agree to give away the right for third parties to use their image and attributes for advertising and promotional purposes without any financial consideration," he said. "[They are] conditions that no group of players or player association could possibly accept." A meeting scheduled for 11.30 in Grenada between the WIPA and WICB with Owen Arthur, prime minister of Barbados and Mitchell acting as mediators, lasts six hours, but a breakthrough is reached.
Tim May, chief executive of the Federation of International Cricketers Association, supports the WIPA stance: "It is ridiculous to suggest that players should agree to give away the right for third parties to use their image and attributes for advertising and promotional purposes without any financial consideration," he said. "[They are] conditions that no group of players or player association could possibly accept." A meeting scheduled for 11.30 in Grenada between the WIPA and WICB with Owen Arthur, prime minister of Barbados and Mitchell acting as mediators, lasts six hours, but a breakthrough is reached.
Both parties agreed to submit briefs by Friday (December 3) which will enable an independent adjudicator to be appointed to try to find a solution. Mitchell told Barbados's Nation newspaper: "Clearly there needs to be a much closer working relationship between the board and the players' representatives. That is a major deficiency and the prime ministerial sub-committee plans to meet very soon and will be involving all the parties to look at a fundamental process for the way forward for the development of West Indies cricket."
November 25
WIPA set to meet some of the dropped players. Peter Young, the general manager of public affairs for Cricket Australia, indicated that an alternative team would be considered for the VB series if West Indies are unable to send a full-strength squad. "At the moment we're talking about hypotheticals," he said, "but if they don't [agree], we will start thinking about alternatives." Kevin Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, says he is willing to mediate. "I assume if we as leaders make a call for some form of resolution in terms of our intervention, I have a feeling the parties will respond accordingly. Given the vital importance of cricket to the social and economic development of the region, I felt it was essential to have this matter resolved in the most amicable way possible."
WIPA set to meet some of the dropped players. Peter Young, the general manager of public affairs for Cricket Australia, indicated that an alternative team would be considered for the VB series if West Indies are unable to send a full-strength squad. "At the moment we're talking about hypotheticals," he said, "but if they don't [agree], we will start thinking about alternatives." Kevin Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, says he is willing to mediate. "I assume if we as leaders make a call for some form of resolution in terms of our intervention, I have a feeling the parties will respond accordingly. Given the vital importance of cricket to the social and economic development of the region, I felt it was essential to have this matter resolved in the most amicable way possible."
November 24
Sixteen players are dropped from initial squad for the VB Series. The WICB rejected the offer from the players association for a follow-up meeting, stating that it will not act "unless the WIPA indicates it is willing to review its position." Ramnarine, maintains that his association are willing to compromise. "Everything is negotiable," he said. "Our position from the start, with or without a mediator has been to resolve the issues." WIPA also claimed that territorial boards are putting pressure on the players to agree to the terms of the contract.
Sixteen players are dropped from initial squad for the VB Series. The WICB rejected the offer from the players association for a follow-up meeting, stating that it will not act "unless the WIPA indicates it is willing to review its position." Ramnarine, maintains that his association are willing to compromise. "Everything is negotiable," he said. "Our position from the start, with or without a mediator has been to resolve the issues." WIPA also claimed that territorial boards are putting pressure on the players to agree to the terms of the contract.
November 23
The WICB release statement: "The board has never sought to assume ownership of the individual rights of the players or requested them to forego these rights. Match and tour contracts have always honoured this practice. During the negotiations with WIPA last Thursday discussions were had as to the basis on which compensation would be paid to players in the context of advertisements and personal appearances on behalf of the major sponsor."
The WICB release statement: "The board has never sought to assume ownership of the individual rights of the players or requested them to forego these rights. Match and tour contracts have always honoured this practice. During the negotiations with WIPA last Thursday discussions were had as to the basis on which compensation would be paid to players in the context of advertisements and personal appearances on behalf of the major sponsor."
November 18
Meeting between WICA and board occurs. It lasts at least 14 hours, and the clash between sponsors is not resolved.
Meeting between WICA and board occurs. It lasts at least 14 hours, and the clash between sponsors is not resolved.
November 17
In a separate issue, it was discovered that salaries and bonuses going as far back as August had not been paid to players, and that the board was waiting for a bank loan to come through.
In a separate issue, it was discovered that salaries and bonuses going as far back as August had not been paid to players, and that the board was waiting for a bank loan to come through.
November 16
Initial deadline for terms and conditions to be signed and returedn to WICB.
Initial deadline for terms and conditions to be signed and returedn to WICB.
November 10
Ramnarine says that he'd been proposing a meeting with the WICB from November 18-20.
Ramnarine says that he'd been proposing a meeting with the WICB from November 18-20.
November 9
The WICB issues a statement indicating that a copy of the invitation was sent to the WIPA on October 7 for comments before October 31. It continued: "Despite requests on four separate occasions with reminders of the need to provide the players with the terms and conditions well in advance, WIPA did not submit any comments on that contract to the WICB."
The WICB issues a statement indicating that a copy of the invitation was sent to the WIPA on October 7 for comments before October 31. It continued: "Despite requests on four separate occasions with reminders of the need to provide the players with the terms and conditions well in advance, WIPA did not submit any comments on that contract to the WICB."
November 8
Dinanath Ramnarine, president of WIPA, the established body for determining the terms and conditions of contracts of West Indies players, claims that the WICB had bypassed them over the VB Series contracts. WIPA asked players not to sign the letters of invitation. "It is to be noted that some of the conditions stipulated by the WICB have nothing to do with cricket," Ramnarine said, "but represent an attempt to exploit the players for commercial purposes."
Dinanath Ramnarine, president of WIPA, the established body for determining the terms and conditions of contracts of West Indies players, claims that the WICB had bypassed them over the VB Series contracts. WIPA asked players not to sign the letters of invitation. "It is to be noted that some of the conditions stipulated by the WICB have nothing to do with cricket," Ramnarine said, "but represent an attempt to exploit the players for commercial purposes."
November 5
The WICB send out invitations to 25 players to a training camp for the one-day triangular VB series in Australia in January and February next year, and set out terms and conditions under which players will be considered for selection, and requested the player's consent over contracts. A copy of the invitation, with terms and conditions, which was dated November 2, was sent to WIPA.
The WICB send out invitations to 25 players to a training camp for the one-day triangular VB series in Australia in January and February next year, and set out terms and conditions under which players will be considered for selection, and requested the player's consent over contracts. A copy of the invitation, with terms and conditions, which was dated November 2, was sent to WIPA.