Sir Clive Lloyd calls for fair revenue distribution in cricket

Sir Clive Lloyd has called for a reevaluation of the global revenue distribution model in cricket and urged the addressing of financial inequality. During a recent ceremony in Grenada where he received the Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC), the highest honor in the Caribbean region, Lloyd demanded that the International Cricket Council (ICC) rectify what he considers to be financial inequity towards the West Indies.

Highlighting the issue of the revenue distribution model, Lloyd reminded the cricket community that when the West Indies team was at its peak, the regional board did not receive financial rewards. He argued that now, with the global game on a stronger financial footing, it is time for the West Indies to receive their fair share.

"Now that the global game is on a sounder fiscal footing, he argued, it is time for the Windies to get their fair share," Barbados Today reported.

"Over the years in our ascendancy we did not ask for any extra money. But now I'm told when they have distribution of funds at the ICC, England receives $180 million, Australia $180 million, India $180 million, and we are $80 million. I want to know, where do they get this disparity?"

The ICC's revenue distribution system was reorganized in 2015, with shares allocated to boards based on their countries' contributions to ICC revenue. Approximately 90 percent of the revenue is generated from India, and the BCCI receives about 39 percent of the ICC's income.

Lloyd emphasized that during their leading years, everyone wanted to play against the West Indies, making them a financial draw.

"Because when we were leading, everybody wanted to play - we were playing two tours in the winter. We were the cash cow for these guys. But now that we might be a little down in the dumps, nobody now is saying, well you know West Indies do need some help.

"And I think that it's about time that our board men make a special call to the ICC. Send 10 or 12 people who we know have the pull, and that extra that is needed, to tell them that we need some special dispensation," Lloyd was quoted as saying by Barbados Today, which went on to add, "Sir Clive pointed out that the financial imbalance has always been there, even when West Indies were winning, but that it is worse now that more money is coming into cricket."