Saudi Arabia is prepared to invest an earth-shattering $500 million into a global T20 league that could trigger a seismic shift in the world of cricket.
Cricket has traditionally been dominated by India, Australia and England, whose boards wield significant influence through the International Cricket Council (ICC).
However, Saudi Arabia is planning to upset the apple cart with a move that would go down as one of the most ambitious shake-ups the sport has ever seen.
A League like no other
Saudi Arabia is proposing a T20 league that would pave the way for participants from around the world to tap in. It would follow a global model, much like the Grand Slam format in tennis.
Former first-class cricketer and sports marketer Neil Maxwell is the driving force behind the venture, where eight franchise teams will play in four different venues around the world throughout the year.
The finalists will reconvene in Saudi Arabia for the showpiece. The event is not designed to rival other competitions, but to complement them.
Saudi’s plan could sort out a long-standing issue in the cricket world. Under the current ICC revenue-sharing model, the disbursement of funds is wildly unbalanced.
The ‘Big Three’ – India, Australia and England – pocket nearly half of the money, leaving South Africa, West Indies, Pakistan and New Zealand scrambling for scraps.
The cash squeeze forces the ‘minorities’ to trim the number of Test matches or bilateral series they can afford to host, but it gets worse for up-and-coming nations such as Ireland and Afghanistan, whose cricket boards can’t afford high-quality international fixtures.
The revenue model has come under intense scrutiny from the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) – a global body advocating for player rights and campaigning for a more balanced structure in cricket.
They even went as far as suggesting that a new global cricket product may be the only way to restore balance to the sport, and it appears Saudi Arabia has taken them at their word.
The new competition will give cricketers more control and even pave the way for them to pocket higher salaries, which is in line with what top golfers receive under LIV Golf.
The league has also promised to disburse revenue more equitably, with special funds set aside for associate nations and Test cricket development.
Can Saudi Arabia Stomach the Potential Cultural Shift?
Saudi Arabia’s traditional reluctance to embrace sports betting has been a major talking point, especially since it’s already been legalised by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
If they are serious about succeeding with their plans, they would be unable to tiptoe around gambling anymore. Betting is an integral part of cricket, so Saudi Arabia must adjust their stance if they want to muscle in on the action.
Numerous Arabian cricket betting sites already operate within the country, but Saudi Arabia’s rules mean that they are regulated by authorities located in other jurisdictions.
There are more pros than cons to embracing the gambling sector, and the UAE already has a working blueprint the Saudis could follow.
How India and Bangladesh fit into Saudi’s Plans
Saudi Arabia cannot push their bid for a new T20 league without India’s consent, considering the large sway they hold in the cricket world.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the most powerful national cricket board, and they forbid Indian players from playing in foreign leagues as long as they are under contract.
That could be a major stumbling block for the Saudis. Without Indian stars, the proposed league could struggle to attract foreign interest, especially from the sport’s biggest fanbase.
The Saudi league wants to become the ‘Grand Slam of Cricket’, but that dream might be dead in the water if there’s no cooperation from the BCCI.
Saudi Arabia already has some connections with Indian cricket. The IPL 2024 player auction was held in Jeddah, a gesture many saw as an early sign of Saudi Arabia’s long-term cricket ambitions.
SRJ Sports chief executive officer Danny Townsend reportedly held talks with some of the most influential figures in BCCI, including Jay Shah, who is now the ICC chairman.
However, it doesn’t seem like they made any real headway with the BCCI, which remains largely unconvinced. England and Australia boards are also sceptical about the Saudi league.
Money may change their minds, but Saudi Arabia will need to play a diplomatic long game to achieve their aims.
