The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has sealed an agreement with merchant bank Verus International that will ensure the launch of a professional franchise-based Twenty20 league in the Caribbean next year.
The partnership with the Barbados and New York-based financial institution is expected to result in a league comprised of up to six privately owned city-based teams. The WICB said all matches in the league will be televised throughout the Caribbean and across the globe. The league is designed to provide financial benefits for participating players with the majority of players being West Indian. In addition, as part of the arrangement, WICB will receive annual funding for new retainer contracts for regional players, in addition to the 20 central annual retainer contracts currently offered by the Board.
President of the WICB, Dr. Julian Hunte, said: “The West Indies Cricket Board is elated to announce the league, which will bring a host of benefits to players and West Indies cricket in general. A significant number of players at the regional level will benefit through greater financial stability both from playing in the league and from year-round retainer contracts while having an international platform on which to showcase their skills and talent. Most importantly is that the league will bring a huge financial injection into the Caribbean and create significant job opportunities across the region in a wide cross section of sectors.”
Thursday’s announcement comes as the latest encouraging sign for the future of West Indies cricket. The West Indies were the dominant force in the sport throughout the 1970s and 1980s, but recent years have witnessed a downturn in Caribbean cricket both on and off the pitch. However, the national team’s triumph in October’s World Twenty20 has injected fresh hope and the WICB has been engaged in a drive to boost cricket’s fortunes in the Caribbean. The Board last month agreed a seven-year global broadcast deal with Dubai-based media group Taj Television.
Commenting on the new T20 league, chairman and CEO of Verus International, Ajmal Khan said: “We are absolutely delighted to partner with the WICB to launch the Twenty20 league and contribute to the historic tradition and success of West Indian cricket. We believe that the recently won World Twenty20 is a testament to the quality and excitement of West Indies cricket. We intend to utilise the Twenty20 league to further develop and strengthen West Indies cricket by expanding the global fan base as well as the number of West Indian cricketers under regional retainer contracts. We look forward to showcasing the talent and beauty of the Caribbean.”
Source: www.sportbusiness.com