Considering the rapid development of cricket in the Americas as a “growing threat to West Indies Cricket”, President Dr. Irfaan Ali urged Caribbean stakeholders to push to become the overarching governing body for the sport in the Americas.
“We have threats with the growing North American cricket, which can bring in a lot more fans and a lot more revenue. I believe we need to examine whether we can move the West Indies Cricket Board [Cricket West Indies] to the American Cricket Board because we have to now work toward owning cricket in the Americas.
“How do we develop a strategy where West Indies cricket becomes the owner of cricket in the Americas?” the current Chair of CARICOM passionately expressed on Thursday while attending the two-day CARICOM Regional Cricket Conference in Trinidad and Tobago virtually.
The conference is being held under the theme is: ‘Reinvigorating West Indies’, and several regional leaders, high-ranking officials from Cricket West Indies, territory boards, and former players will be present to discuss moving West Indies cricket forward.
Over the past two to three years, a lucrative T20 league has developed in the United States and, to a lesser extent, Canada, which has attracted top players worldwide.
It is also noticeable that numerous Caribbean cricketers frequent the United States to compete in domestic tournaments, which reward more than the Caribbean.
Cricket West Indies and USA Cricket will co-host the Men’s World T20 in June, and many of the usual ‘big ticket’ group matches will be staged in the USA.
However, the semi-finals and final will be hosted in the West Indies.
The expansion of Windies Cricket endeavour is one of many movements that are needed to change the sport regionally. President Ali noted that as a product, cricket must adapt to the new ecosystem of sport, noting how football has developed and profited from the franchise structure.
“We have to match dynamics of the changing market to our brand and safeguarding the fundamentals of what cricket means to us a region”, Ali noted.
In redefining the brand, one must consider fundamental issues such as protecting, expanding, positioning, and creating global ownership.
Beyond the boundary, President Ali underscored the cultural impact that must be integrated into the cricket plan, highlighting the “different vibe” that defines the product West Indies offers.
From an infrastructural standpoint, Ali called for “smart stadiums” to give fans the personalized experience they desire.
