IPL will always exist but I fear the future of all T20 leagues around the world: Dean Jones

There is no doubt that Dean Jones has a fantastic mind for cricket. In fact, the former Australian batsman is often called the Professor of cricket. As the world is going through a lockdown, Jones has increased his social media activities.

The former batsman recently posted several tweets in regards with the T20 leagues across the globe. In all those tweets, he talked about the future of T20 cricket league and how is it important for each of them to have a proper financial model to keep themselves alive.

Dean Jones suggests a conference between think tanks of T20 leagues

Jones, who has been working closely to many T20 leagues across the globe is in the opinion that after the COVID-19 crisis it will be difficult for all the league to sustain itself. His first tweet talked about the need for all the T20 leagues to have a conference and work out how to regulate players’ wage and prices for each of the franchise.

Food for thought: For the future of T20 cricket Leagues around the world to exist.. I feel ALL of the T20 Leagues need to have a conference and work out regulating players wages and prices for franchises.

— Dean Jones AM (@ProfDeano) April 24, 2020

In his next tweet, Dean Jones said that he believes that the Indian Premier League will surely exist. However, he also added that he fears for the future of all other T20 leagues around the world. He said if all these leagues don’t get their financial model checked, there could be a day when only two or three T20 leagues will survive. Dean Jones also pointed out that the players should reduce their wages after the COVID-19.

A lot of money in a league comes from the broadcasters, but Jones was in an opinion that broadcasters won’t be able to pay big money once the COVID-19 is over. Hence, he says it is only better if players can drop their wages.

IPL will always exist.. but I fear the future of all T20 Leagues around the word. They need to get their price/financial models right.. or only 2-3 T20 Leagues will survive.

— Dean Jones AM (@ProfDeano) April 24, 2020

Except for IPL… The future of T20 cricket is in the hands of the current player.. unless they drop their wages.. I cannot see Broadcasters paying big money now.. after COVID19

— Dean Jones AM (@ProfDeano) April 24, 2020

I think all of the T20 cricket Leagues can survive.. but if the players want to be major stakeholders.. then they have to lower their wages for other Leagues to survive. Broadcasters are now struggling.

— Dean Jones AM (@ProfDeano) April 24, 2020

Broadcasters stock prices are now struggling… all Leagues financial models depend on a strong payment from Broadcasters … that ain’t happening for a while now https://t.co/TBPj6OhGUm

— Dean Jones AM (@ProfDeano) April 24, 2020

Well Matt.. players are fully professional… and it’s their job. I want more Leagues to survive.. but the cost of Franchises and players wages and financial returns from Broadcasters, sponsors and gates don’t add up. https://t.co/ahB7r4nhmq

— Dean Jones AM (@ProfDeano) April 24, 2020

I think a big conference with a “Big think tank” for all T20 Leagues should happen.. how can they market it better? Get better returns? And communicate with each other for a better chance of survival.

— Dean Jones AM (@ProfDeano) April 24, 2020

Jones emphasised that the money in these T20 leagues come from the broadcasters. However, due to the COVID-19 crisis, the broadcasting market is down and also the stocks are going down. If this goes on, leagues will start getting affected. If players agree to play with lower wages, only then the leagues will survive.

Jones further gave an idea of a conference of think tanks of the T20 leagues. He says that the conference will help each of them evaluate how to market a T20 league in a better way and also get better returns.