Introduction of the league,with broadcast rights revenue to be shared among the countries involved,would mimic the attempt to start a men’s T20 Champions League when the IPL was launched in 2008.
That tournament,sold for nearly $US1 billion ($1.45 billion) to Star Sports,was abandoned after six editions as it failed to generate enough spectator interest to justify the high price tag. Its revenue was shared between India,Australia and South Africa,after England’s board dropped out of discussions.
This time around,the concept of a women’s Champions League is seen as the logical next step to capitalise on the strength of the WPL,the WBBL and the Hundred competition in England. There is no suggestion that CA,the BCCI and the ECB are considering the relaunch of a men’s Champions League.
Big crowds and high-quality cricket have been a hallmark of each of the last two women’s T20 World Cups also,in 2020 in Australia shortly before the outbreak of COVID-19,and then in South Africa earlier this year,where Australia again prevailed in a tight tussle against the hosts.
It is possible that the tournament will also include teams from other leagues such as the Caribbean Premier League,but there is a desire to start the event in a focused manner and grow from there.
Locations would be rotated,with match revenue from tickets and corporate hospitality to be retained by the host nation. Australia’s captain Alyssa Healy has spoken about the need for the women’s game to be supported by wider investment down development pathways in more nations.
“I think it takes support and investment from the global bodies to invest in their women’s teams and their women’s pathways in particular,” Healy said earlier on the current Ashes tour. “There’s no secret to why this team has been successful for a long period of time,it’s because we’ve got great domestic pathways.
“They were invested in a long time ago and it’s developed some amazing players. The likes ofAnnabel Sutherland andPhoebe Litchfield can almost come straight into international cricket and perform right away. That really helps,and I think a lot of nations are catching up,they’re doing some great things.”
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The Marylebone Cricket Club’s world cricket committee reached a similar conclusion at their recent meeting ahead of the Lord’s Ashes Test.
“The growth of the women’s game must also be consistent with the growth of the game as a whole,” chair Mike Gatting said. “We need to ensure that nations are rewarded for their commitment to investing in both the men’s and women’s game alike,and a ring-fenced fund could be an important step here.
“We have seen similar reports previously,which haven’t led to actions or tangible improvements. The WCC firmly believes that if we are to protect the game of cricket as a whole,immediate action must be taken to bring about significant transformation in the sport.”
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