BCCI officially top earner as ICC Revenue Share approved despite PCB's protest

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is once again the top earning cricket body in the world. As ICC Revenue Share is approved, BCCI will claim 38.4% of the total revenue ICC generates. Pakistan Cricket Board did oppose the move but nobody paid heed as BCCI contributes the most in terms of cricket revenue. The revenue share model was made official at ICC meeting in Durban on Thursday.

While ICC did not reveal the total amount it generates annually, it is learnt that BCCI will earn $230 million out of $600 million for the next four years.

BCCI: 230 million (38.4%)
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB): $41 million (6.89%)
Cricket Australia: $37.53 million (6.25%)
Pakistan Cricket Board: $34.5 million (5.75%)
New Zealand Cricket: $28.38 million (4.73%)
West Indies Cricket: $27.5 million (4.58%)
Sri Lanka Cricket: $27.12 million (4.52%)
Bangladesh Cricket: $26.74 million (4.46%)
Cricket South Africa: $26.24 million (4.37%)
Cricket Ireland: $18.04 million (3.01%)
Zimbabwe Cricket: $17.64 million (2.94%)
Afghanistan Cricket: $16.82 million (2.8%)

“The ICC Board also confirmed the largest-ever investment into the sport after the distribution model for the next four years was agreed. Every ICC Member will receive significantly enhanced funding with a strategic investment fund ring-fenced to drive global growth initiatives in line with the ICC Global Growth Strategy,” ICC said in a media release.

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During the last 2015-23 cycle, BCCI earned 22% of the total revenue. While it was low, it was still the highest among all members. However, with BCCI members now in the ICC Financial Committee, the Indian board gained the most. It had a jump of almost 18% from last tenure.

“All members will receive a base distribution and then additional revenue will be in relation to contribution to the global game both on and off the field,” ICC chairman Greg Barclay said.

“This is by far the largest level of investment ever to go into cricket. It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our members to accelerate growth and engage more players and fans and drive competitiveness,” he added.

In the new model, England & Wales Cricket Board will earn $41 million compared to $16 million in the last eight years. Similarly, associate nations will also benefit as the pot increases from $22 million to $67 million.

How is revenue share calculated?

Pakistan cried foul that since most of many of their players in Top 10 off ICC rankings, Pakistan deserved more. But that’s not the only parameter. Apart from rankings, commercial contribution, media rights revenue and viewership also contribute to overall revenue distribution.

“The percentages are calculated based on the contribution to the game through cricket (rankings), performance (at ICC events) and commercial (media rights revenues and viewership), so it’s based on what they are contributing to the overall health of the game,” an ICC member told PTI.

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