KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) — FORMER Cricket West Indies president Dave Cameron has urged the regional governing body to consider pulling out of international cricket if its financial struggles continue, saying such a move may be necessary to force the International Cricket Council to take notice.
CWI is undergoing major changes to its structures and competitions as it battles significant financial challenges. Chief executive officer Chris Dehring has described West Indies cricket as being “at an important crossroads.”
Among the changes is a 25 per cent cut in retainer fees for international players’ contracts. Players are expected to accept or decline the cuts this week following the conclusion of the tour of India.
Cameron, who served as CWI president from 2013 to 2019, said he anticipated the current situation, blaming in part an ICC revenue-sharing model he considers unfair and weighted toward cricket’s biggest nations, led by India.
Speaking on The Mason and Guests talk show in Barbados, Cameron said he had written about the issue a decade ago and championed it within the ICC, where he helped push for the creation of committees.
“I got so upset in meetings (to the point) where I challenged people that we would stop playing with them because it was just unfair that you would get all the resources,” Cameron said.
He pointed to the ongoing series in India, claiming India could make “north of about $100–$200 million” from the contest while it costs West Indies Cricket to take part.
“It just doesn’t make sense,” Cameron said. “No matter if you are the best team in the world, you can’t improve your revenues. The model has to change. In 2016, we proved that.
“(Some) 10 years ago we were the best team in every format of the game, and we weren’t able to move our revenue needle. Those were the concerns that we had and, unfortunately, my successors didn’t think it was important.”
Cameron identified two central issues facing West Indies cricket. The first, he said, was outlined by Dehring: CWI funds the entire development of West Indies cricket.
“That needs to change,” he said, though he declined to offer a specific model. The second issue, he added, is how revenues in international cricket are shared.
With CWI implementing reforms and players weighing contract cuts, Cameron’s intervention adds fresh pressure on both the regional body and the ICC as West Indies cricket searches for a sustainable way forward.