West Indian players to earn US$2M collectively in CPL

— says CWI CEO Johnny Grave

Cricket is revived in the Caribbean with the return of the biggest party in sport, the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Before the CPL, the last Caribbean-based tournament was played in March, with the West Indies Regional 4-Day championships.
According to Cricket West Indies (CWI) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Johnny Grave, West Indian players will collectively be receiving approximately US$2M in this CPL, generated from match fees.
“Well, it’s cricket happening in the Caribbean, simple as that. It is fantastic for our players. I think the West Indians involved in CPL alone will pick up collectively at least US$2 million. It is important for our players to earn these match fees,” Grave said on the latest Mason and Guest radio show.
When asked if CPL owes CWI, Grave said the players’ license fee was received a day later, and a figure of US$1.7 million was owed.
“For a very short time, that was the figure; but once that quarterly payment of the licence fee was received, it’s down to US$1.4 million. There is no dispute in that figure. We have received over a million US dollars this year in their licence fee, and we are working closely with CPL to ensure that debt (is) cleared,” Grave explained.
With COVID-19 hitting CWI and other cricket territories, Grave said that as measures regarding the COVID-19 begin to be lifted, the Region’s board wants local cricket to return, once the government restrictions are lifted. In the short-term, CWI is looking to restart cricket at the grassroots over the next few months.
CWI will be forced to postpone any tournament after the CPL, as the players are expected to feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and are expected to tour New Zealand in November-December, if permitted.
In terms of the tour to New Zealand, Grave said it is impossible for New Zealand Cricket Board and CWI to have charted flights to New Zealand, and the players may have to utilise commercial flights if that tour goes ahead.
Grave said the CWI board have a “can-do” attitude, and will continue to push towards that New Zealand tour. (Brandon Corlette)