Imagine signing a contract, giving your best on the field, and then waiting endlessly to get paid. Sounds frustrating, right? Well, that’s the harsh reality for many cricketers playing in franchise cricket leagues worldwide.
Late payments have become an ugly trend in cricket’s booming franchise circuit. From the Abu Dhabi T10 to the Cayman Max60, multiple leagues have been flagged for not paying players on time. The issue has gotten so bad that the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) is now calling for urgent reforms.
Players Left Hanging – Again and Again
Cricketers, especially those playing outside the top-tier leagues, often face delays or non-payment of their salaries. Just this week, the Bangladesh Cricket Board took action against a franchise for failing to pay overseas players.
According to the WCA, out of 53 men’s and women’s franchise leagues they track, a shocking 17 have reported payment issues.
Tom Moffat, WCA’s chief executive, didn’t hold back. “Late and non-payment is a persistent issue… and it’s not getting better,” he told ESPNcricinfo.
The main problem? Cricket lacks a global system to resolve these disputes. Unlike football, where FIFA has a Dispute Resolution Chamber, cricket relies on domestic boards to handle these issues. Unfortunately, that often leads to no real consequences for defaulting franchises.
Read More: PCB and USA Cricket Join Hands for a Brighter Future
Broken Promises and Big Names at Risk
One player agent summed it up perfectly:
“Some of these tournaments have no fear of ramifications. They sign big names, promise huge contracts, pay a small percentage to get them on the flight, and then never pay them another penny.”
That’s the brutal truth. Some leagues lure players in with big money offers, only to delay or completely avoid paying them later.
One of the best solutions being discussed is centralized payments. Here’s how it would work:
- Franchises deposit the full wage bill into an escrow account before the season starts.
- The league distributes salaries directly to players instead of leaving it to the franchises.
This would eliminate excuses like “the franchise hasn’t paid us yet” and ensure players get paid on time.
The T10 Problem – A Repeat Offender?
While the T10 format has gained popularity, it has also become a hotspot for payment disputes.
Take the Abu Dhabi T10, for example. Reports suggest that some players from the November 2023 season are still waiting for their payments. The league claims these are just “isolated incidents,” but players know better.
Then there’s the Cayman Max60 League, which launched in August 2023. Even months later, 10% of player wages remain unpaid. The league admitted to “significant issues” and delayed its second season from March to May.
Read More: Sarfaraz Ahmed Returns to Action for Pakistan Champions in WCL 2024
What Needs to Change?
The WCA has been pushing for the ICC to step in and introduce global protections. The proposal? A system like FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber, where players can report unpaid wages and get a fair resolution.
For now, though, the ICC remains hands-off, saying domestic franchise leagues are the responsibility of individual cricket boards. But is that really working? Clearly not.
If cricket wants to remain a truly global sport, it must protect its players. No cricketer, whether retired or active, should have to chase payments after fulfilling their contract.
It’s time for real action.
- The ICC must create an enforcement mechanism for sanctioned leagues.
- Leagues should be forced to use escrow accounts to guarantee payments.
- Players need a clear pathway to report issues and get justice.
Until then, the franchise circuit will remain a wild west, where players gamble not just with their skills but also with their earnings.
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.
