ICC Faces Multiple Challenges Post T20 World Cup Amid Broadcast and Venue Concerns
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is grappling with significant fallout following the conclusion of the men’s T20 World Cup held in the USA and the West Indies. While overshooting the budget was a notable issue, ESPNcricinfo has revealed that the tournament has triggered a range of concerns from Disney-Star, the ICC’s broadcast partner, which could impact future ICC events and relationships with stakeholders.
Disney-Star, which holds the broadcasting rights for ICC events, has raised pointed questions about whether the T20 World Cup delivered value commensurate with the substantial investment made in the rights. The broadcaster’s concerns primarily revolve around the tournament’s scheduling and venue conditions, which they argue have compromised the overall product.
A significant issue highlighted by Disney-Star is the scheduling of matches. Several games, including many involving the West Indies—co-hosts and two-time T20 World Cup champions—and the crucial semi-final between South Africa and Afghanistan, were broadcast in the early morning hours in the Indian subcontinent. This timing, intended to cater to global audiences, led to a substantial drop in viewership in a key market known for its passion for cricket. The shift in broadcast times affected live ratings and engagement, raising questions about the effectiveness of scheduling strategies.
The venue conditions have also been a point of contention. The Nassau County stadium in New York, which hosted part of the tournament, faced severe criticism due to its drop-in pitches. The pitches, which were predominantly bowling-friendly, resulted in some low-scoring games, with two teams being bowled out for less than 100 runs and the highest completed score being just 137. The first two pitches used in the New York leg were rated as “unsatisfactory” by the ICC, reflecting significant issues with their quality. Despite efforts to improve conditions, the Trinidad pitch used for the semi-final between South Africa and Afghanistan also faced criticism, being rated “unsatisfactory” due to excessive seam movement and uneven bounce that led to a low-scoring match.
Additionally, the Florida venue, which also hosted matches, was criticized for its inadequate drainage and insufficient covers, which led to several abandoned games, including an India match. The issues in Florida, combined with the poor pitch conditions in New York, have led to widespread dissatisfaction.
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Disney-Star’s discontent is particularly significant given its longstanding relationship with the ICC. Since acquiring the rights to broadcast ICC events in the Indian market for a substantial four-year deal worth just above USD 3 billion last year, any dissatisfaction from such a major partner is likely to prompt serious reconsideration of future arrangements. The revenue generated from these deals is crucial for ICC members, particularly those outside the traditional powerhouses of India, Australia, and England, who rely heavily on this income.
In response to these issues, there have been internal discussions within the ICC about potentially swapping the USA-West Indies event with either India in 2026 or England in 2028 to provide venues more time to prepare and address infrastructural issues. However, these discussions have not progressed significantly.
Moreover, the budgetary overrun, with the US leg of the event exceeding the original budget by up to USD 20 million, has led to an audit of the tournament’s financial management. This scrutiny has also spurred discussions about possible changes to future ICC tournaments, including the proposal to convert the 2025 ODI Champions Trophy to T20Is. However, no formal developments on this idea have been reported, and it was not discussed in recent ICC meetings.
As the ICC addresses these concerns and undertakes a thorough review of the event, the outcomes will likely shape future tournament planning and partnerships. The focus will be on resolving the current issues, restoring confidence among stakeholders, and ensuring that future events are executed more effectively to meet both financial and operational expectations.
