With the ICC chopping BCCI’s financial wings in its new financial model for the next eight years, the Indian board is contemplating pulling out of the Champions Trophy and the future ICC tournaments unless the ICC agrees to pay them USD 450 million.

New Delhi: With the ICC clipping BCCI’s financial wings in its new financial model for the next eight years, the Indian board is contemplating pulling out of the Champions Trophy and the future ICC tournaments unless the ICC agrees to pay them USD 450 million.

But the Committee of Administrators — appointed by the Supreme Court — believe that it is not a feasible option as that could hamper the future of IPL.

Speaking to Cricketnext, a senior BCCI official who was present in Dubai during the meeting said that the board has no option but to pull out of ICC events because the current revenue promised to BCCI — $293m — is just not acceptable and agreeing to that would set a wrong precedent for the future.

“We realise that pulling out of the Champions Trophy would also mean pulling out of the future ICC events, including the World Cup as per the Members Participation Agreement (MPA). But we have our back against the wall and there is no option left with us because to come down from $571m to $293m is just not possible.

“Also, let me reiterate, it is not just about the money. We are also not willing to accept the changes in governance model. At the end of the day, it is about our country and the interest of Indian cricket which cannot be sacrificed under any circumstance. We had requested them to wait for 2-3 months, but Manohar took the opportunity to kick us when we are down,” he said.

Also Read: ICC Still Open to Negotiate, Offers BCCI USD 390 Million

Asked if the BCCI is willing to accept the further $100 that the ICC is still willing to give BCCI — making the new revenue stand at $390m — the official said: “Going into the meeting, Amitabh Chaudhary had in a very polite tone told them that an offer of $450 million would still put him in a position where he would return to India and convince the BCCI members. But ICC chairman Shashank Manohar refused to relent.

“We are not willing to accept anything less than $450 and also, there should be no change in the governance structure as I already told you. If that means pulling out of ICC tournaments we will, because according to the MPA, if the ICC changes the revenue or governance structure which BCCI is not keen on, the board can terminate the MPA.”

The COA though feels that a strong stand could hamper Indian cricket in the long run, including the organisation of the Indian Premier League.

“The COA had briefed Amitabh before he went for the meeting on how the member countries had reacted to the proposals of revenue-model change when the committee interacted with them. The committee wasn’t present in Dubai, so they can’t say what transpired. But pulling out of the Champions Trophy is still not the way forward.

“The COA wants the BCCI to realise that pulling out could mean a situation where the other countries stop providing NOCs to players who participate in the IPL. Can the BCCI conduct the IPL this successfully if the foreign stars are absent? The COA would still want the board to decide on a middle-path,” a source close to the COA told CricketNext.

Asked if the COA was willing to mediate, the source said: “The BCCI never asked them to. They definitely are open to finding out a middle-path if the board members wants the committee of administrators to help.”

For the record, BCCI's earlier share of $571 million was curtailed to $293 million with Australia not losing out on anything and England's loss being minimal.

Cricket Australia was earlier getting $131.25 million and the new model gives them an additional $0.75 million. England are losing out on $40 million in the new deal while all other Test playing nations stand to gain significantly.

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