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| Conde Riley, director of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB). |
In the coming year, the franchise-based CPL, which the WICB has licensed to merchant bank Verus International for the next 20 years, will replace the regional Caribbean T20.
The financial details surrounding the deal remain undisclosed.
“With the amount of money being invested in the tournament, I believe that it can only result in the positive development of cricket in the Caribbean,” Riley told the Grenada Advocate.
“There will be additional players retained and contracted by the franchises, which will lead to the players being more financially independent.
“I also think with the addition of foreign players in the franchises, it will greatly benefit our players. They will undoubtedly become more professional due to the contractual obligations they will have to the franchises.”
In its inaugural season, the CPL is expected to comprise six privately owned teams, and following the lead of established leagues such as India’s IPL and Australia’s Big Bash, players will be bought and sold during an annual auction.
The league is also expected to be beamed across the world in high-definition and officials say the tournament will also be used as a showpiece attraction designed to enhance the Caribbean’s tourism product.
“Overall, I think the CPL is a fantastic thing, and it couldn’t have come at a better time with the West Indies having just won the ICC Twenty20 world cup. The spin-off in the Caribbean will be substantial,” added Riley.
“And once again, when I read about the volume of money involved, it will not only involve cricket, but the entire culture of the Caribbean. Many people throughout the region should find employment through the franchises.”
Echoing Riley’s sentiments was former West Indies wicket-keeper Courtney Browne, now a WICB selector.
He said he expected the CPL to generate “substantial revenue” for the WICB.
“I think it is a fantastic opportunity for West Indies cricket, as well as Caribbean people,” he said.
“From a selector standpoint, we definitely need the development of our cricketers, and to get more of our young cricketers exposed to a high stander of play, on a world stage, is crucial.
“When you look back at the Stanford 20/20 tournament, the whole of the Caribbean was hooked on that; and that was just based in Antigua alone. With the CPL, it will be spread throughout the entire region. I think it will be a hit.”
Though optimistic that a franchise will be based in Barbados, Browne cautioned against insularity.
“Barbados is a major hub for cricket in the Caribbean, and as such, one would like to think that a franchised will be based here,” he said.
“But I don’t think we should start looking at this tournament from a nationalistic point of view. I think this tournament is a great opportunity for all of us. I’m not thinking Barbados; I’m thinking Caribbean.” (AH)
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