The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to meet in Colombo this weekend, regarding the unexpected financial complications surrounding the US leg of the T20 World Cup 2024. What was intended to be a groundbreaking foray into the American market has now become a source of concern and scrutiny.
The ambitious project saw the construction of a fully modular stadium in New York, built from scratch in just 106 days. While this feat of engineering impressed many, it has also raised eyebrows due to its financial implications. Initially, the ICC had approved a budget ranging from USD 40-50 million for the USA leg, with USD 15 million allocated for operational expenses and approximately USD 30 million for the temporary stadium's construction.
However, alarm bells rang when T20 World Cup USA Inc., the entity created to manage the American leg, requested an additional USD 20 million on the eve of the tournament. This last-minute cash injection request has sparked outrage and alarm among board directors, who are now demanding answers about the cost overruns and lack of prior warning.
The situation is further complicated by claims that the USD 20 million was not an additional budget, but a loan to support cash flow. This discrepancy in understanding has led to calls for a thorough investigation, with several high-profile ICC directors, including CWI President Dr. Kishore Shallow and ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja, expressing serious reservations.
ICC to address issues regarding the tournament's image
Beyond the financial concerns, the board is expected to address other issues that marred the tournament's image. These include the questionable quality of pitches at some venues and the conspicuously empty stands during the Caribbean leg of the event. The absence of Andy Atkinson, the ICC's long-time pitch consultant, has also raised questions about oversight and quality control.
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The review is likely to scrutinize the marketing efforts, particularly in the Caribbean, where despite having the largest marketing budget of any T20 World Cup, attendance remained disappointingly low. The scheduling of day matches to cater to the Indian broadcast market is cited as a potential factor in the poor turnout.
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