A bold attempt to launch a Saudi-backed global T20 league is already encountering stiff resistance — even before its official unveiling. In a pre-emptive move that signals rising geopolitical influence in cricket, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have joined forces to block player participation and influence global governing policy.
According to reports from The Guardian, senior representatives from both cricket boards convened on the sidelines of the ICC World Test Championship Final in June, agreeing to a mutual stance: their centrally contracted players will not participate in the proposed Saudi-led league.
What Is the Saudi T20 League?
Backed by SRJ Sports Investments with a reported war chest of £400 million, the league is rumoured to be designed in the mould of tennis’ Grand Slams — a rotating, global event model that would take T20 cricket to key international markets throughout the year.
The concept has been spearheaded by former Australian cricketer Neil Maxwell, and reportedly enjoys the support of the Australian Cricketers’ Association — though Cricket Australia’s formal stance remains cautiously optimistic.
What’s Driving Resistance?
The ECB and BCCI’s motivations are rooted in both financial control and market dominance:
- ECB has monetised The Hundred to the tune of £520 million, selling up to 49% stakes in franchises — many to IPL franchise owners.
- BCCI, as the global commercial heavyweight in cricket, sees the Saudi proposal as a potential destabilizer — especially with Indian players central to global broadcast valuations.
Crucially, both boards are also lobbying the International Cricket Council (ICC) to withhold official endorsement — further threatening the credibility and player availability for the Saudi league.
Why This Battle Matters?
This isn’t just a turf war — it’s a strategic collision of traditional governance and state-backed disruption.
If the Saudi model succeeds:
- Cricket’s calendar risks fragmentation
- Control shifts away from traditional boards to investment vehicles
- Player power increases, as does global free agency potential
If it fails:
- It will reinforce the BCCI-ECB axis as gatekeepers of the sport
- Strengthen the role of central contracts in limiting player mobility
- Set a precedent for how future sovereign-backed leagues are handled in cricket, football, and beyond
Stakeholders to Watch
- Saudi Arabia: Through SRJ and Aramco, already closely aligned with ICC
- Cricket Australia: Sitting on the fence, but financially incentivized to explore
- IPL Franchise Owners: Holding influence across global leagues, their alignment will shape market dynamics
- The ICC: With Jay Shah at the helm, its neutrality will be closely scrutinized
What Should Boards, Investors & Leagues Do?
For Governing Bodies: Build legal safeguards into central contracts. Reassess player release clauses in light of rising private capital in sport.
For Investors: Market entry strategies in cricket must factor board resistance. Joint ventures with existing boards or franchise owners are now more viable than standalone leagues.
For Emerging Leagues: Differentiate with scheduling (off-season windows), format innovation, and regional fan development. Don’t just replicate the IPL model — evolve it.
