Responding to the criticism of its harsh stand on endorsements, Board officials are now leaking precise details on the nexus forcing its hand.
MUMBAI: The BCCI’s over reaction to the endorsement issue stems from a misguided attempt at containing the sharks in suits that represent player management executives. For long, rumours have circulated about the influence of player agents in getting their clients into the team. Juniors signing on with those representing influential seniors have become a regular occurrence. Responding to the criticism of its harsh stand on individual endorsements even as it looks to milk cricket, Board officials are now leaking more precise details on the player-agent nexus forcing its hand.
Player representatives seek to earn between 15 to 25% of the endorsement fees for each deal signed. For top stars, these figures easily go into crores. Players are assured of minimum guarantee money per year when they sign on. Batsmen have it better as the willow is allowed to carry an individual sponsor while only team sponsors figure on the on-field dress. Till recently no bowler was given guarantee money in the region of a crore even as top batsmen have been assured of figures beyond Rs 5 crores. Only now an upcoming speedster has broken that barrier.
Batsmen are instructed to lift their bats towards the pavilion each time they crack a fifty to ensure adequate TV exposure for the brand plastered on it as well as twirl around to allow enough time for photographers to capture the image. Bats are also not hung down when a player walks to the pavilion after a good knock as he has instructions to wave it to the crowd and the cameras milking additional publicity. The longer the time spent and more the runs scored all have performance based clauses which influence the way the batsman behaves out in the field.
During the World Cup a unique avenue made its entry — the back of the helmet. Senior Indian batsmen were seen sporting logos on what has been untapped potential.
In case a player is not part of the team for three months, earlier it was six, he stands to forfeit his guarantee money. There has been the instance of a certain senior backing off to allow a junior batsman his way into the team for a one-off match in order to protect the latter’s financial interest with a cola company. This in turn forms pressure groups within the dressing room based purely on common commercial needs.
In case a player does not live up to initial promise, agents have been known to plant stories in the press regarding his attitude and fitness to wring out better terms or to influence his ouster from the team. While advertising and PR agencies will not sign on clients with conflicting interests, the choppy waters that agent sharks prey do not allow for such niceties. A number of bowlers or batsmen may well figure on the rolls of the same agent who will then discard the out-of-favour ones.
Incentives extend to the presentation of ostentatious gifts. On elevation to vice-captaincy a young batting star was presented with a swanky new Mercedes by the people who manage him.
In the light of such information coming out from Board and industry sources, the BCCI’s overreaction to the endorsement issue makes more sense. Just that to curb this disease the BCCI has chosen to use an axe where perhaps a surgeon’s sniping was required.
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