Different voices emanating from the BCCI suggest that the Board seems to have figured out that it bit off far more than it can chew -- forget swallow.
MUMBAI: After the bumbling, comes the retraction. Different voices emanating from the BCCI suggest that the Board seems to have figured out that it bit off far more than it can chew -- forget swallow - as far as the endorsement issue is concerned. BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah added further weight to Ratnakar Shetty's assertion that existing contracts would not be tampered with when he told PTI: "I can't understand the hue and cry on the issue. The existing contracts of the players are still running."
As it turns out the Board is now waiting for a representation from the players! As if the absurdity of the whole deal becomes apparent only after a formal request is made to examine it! "No proposal from the players has been received so there is no question of any date right now. First let there be a representation from the players, then BCCI Chief Sharad Pawar will decide what to do," Shah said to further queer the pitch on just what the final shape of the whole endorsement rigmarole would be.
The BCCI Working Committee, which had met on Saturday to review India's disastrous World Cup campaign, had decided to limit the endorsements to three per player and scrap the graded system of contracts under which senior players were paid more than others. The drastic measures by the BCCI had caused a stir among the players, their business managers and sponsors.
Shailendra Singh of Percept is certain the Board is backtracking. "Imposition of these clauses is a practical impossibility. This appears to be a diversion to deflect attention from more pressing issues. The moot point is that unless BCCI comes up with a solution fast, money will begin to flow away from cricket. After all how long is India going to be a one-sport nation?" he stresses. Shailendra, whose company manages Sourav Ganguly and Yuvraj Singh, fears for dilution of the brand Cricket. "BCCI needs to protect its property and I see a practical way out of this very soon."
Shailendra may be optimistic but the Board appears to be quite confused. BCCI vice president Shashank Manohar is categorical in denying any possibility of a roll-back in endorsement-related clauses while the secretary is looking forward to a dialogue with players.
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