Shunning Champions Trophy might be BCCI’s last option to stop ICC

For the first time in almost 25 years, the BCCI will be a mute spectator at the ICC’s board meeting, to be attended by Supreme Court-appointed administrator and CEO Vikram Limaye along with BCCI secretary Amitabh Chaudhary and treasurer Anirudh Chaudhary.

The agenda for this meeting was decided in their previous meetings when the BCCI was busy fighting their battle with the Lodha Committee.

The upcoming board meeting of the governing body is where the ICC’s much talked about change to their revenue structure is expected to receive the green signal – this could lead to a loss of Rs 3000 crore for the BCCI. If the ICC decides to go through with the changes, the BCCI could well withdraw from the Champions Trophy in response.

"Should India decide to pull out of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy in June scheduled just before the ICC annual conference the ICC will not survive the financial onslaught such a move will potentially unleash. That's the only way," an unnamed ex-administrator told Cricbuzz website.

Following are the changes to be discussed in the ICC’s board meeting and how they would impact the BCCI.

1. Removal of the Big Three model which allowed the BCCI to earn 20.3% stake in the ICC revenues.

How it affects the BCCI: The new model is likely to bring down the BCCI’s earnings by 50%, which could lead to a loss of Rs 3000 crore over the next seven years.

2. Baseball-styled conference structure in Test cricket along with granting Test status to Ireland and Afghanistan.

How it affects the BCCI: A lot of the member nations have been depended on India touring them to earn revenues, in return the BCCI have been trying to build a viable home season like the summer in England, or the boxing day in Australia. These will end if the new structure is implemented in Test cricket.

3. One ICC tournament every year.

How it affects the BCCI: The ICC are trying to include at least one major tournament in the calendar every year, which might disrupt the window that the BCCI are trying to keep open for the IPL.

4. Pooling of overseas television rights.

How it affects the BCCI: India are worried about the fact that as host nation they will no longer earn the most when teams tour India.

If the aforementioned agendas are passed at the meeting, the BCCI might decide to activate the clause present in the Members Participation Agreement (MPA) they have with the ICC, which allows them to walk away if their interest is not upheld.