BCCI to think over their Champions Trophy pullout, to call for SGM meeting

There seems to be no common ground between Board of Control for Cricket in India and International Cricket Council. The ongoing tiff between takes a new turn as BCCI has called for a Special General Meeting. The decision came in the aftermath of BCCI’s recent rejection of additional USD 100 million for the proposed format by the ICC.

BCCI, currently,  is threatening to pull out of the tournament under the provision of clause 6.4 of Members Participating Agreement, which states that any change to contributing cost or governance without the respective member’s approval, an exit can happen.

BCCI has been demanding for reinitiation the ‘Big Three’ revenue format, opposing to the new format proposed by the ICC. President of ICC, Shashank Manohar has been vocal about equal distribution of revenues among all boards. Until now, BCCI received a revenue of about USD 590 million whereas, with the implementation of the new format, their share of revenues would be slashed by almost 50% at USD 290 million.

The board has also threatened for the ouster of chief broadcaster Star Sports from the event which would incur huge losses globally. This would be used as a scaring tactic against Shashank Manohar and other board members as they are aware of the fact that without Indian participation, cricket revenues and earnings would yield peanuts.

BCCI  Officiating secretary BCCI Amitabh Choudhary has the rights to call the shots regarding the upcoming Special General Meeting. The major feeling amongst the lynchpins of the BCCI is the phobia of losing control over the administration of the game which would never return again if they succumb to pressure. As far as BCCI is concerned, this the only option viable to them.

BCCI was supposed to announce their Champions Trophy squad a few days back as they reached the deadline date for the same. But the Indian board is in no hurry to make the announcement until their demands are met.