|
Digicel-WICB dispute
Sponsor row threatens Stanford game
Cricinfo staff
September 22, 2008
| ||
Digicel maintains that its existing five-year deal with the WICB includes the Stanford match as it is officially sanctioned by the board and the team is, in effect, a fully representative side. Stanford counters that it is not an official side and, as such, is outside any existing sponsorship deal.
The matter has already reached the High Court in London where Digicel were granted an injunction against Stanford proceeding with the event, and arbitration is due to begin on October 3. Last week, Digicel issued a three-point offer, but this was rejected on Saturday by Stanford.
Yesterday, Digicel issued a terse statement in which it accused the tournament organisers of "inaccuracies" in its press release and questioning the willingness of the Stanford set-up to resolve the matter.
Digicel also claimed that Stanford officials have refused to meet to discuss the stand-off, adding that they had also declined to engage in any negotiations involving the West Indies board. "Digicel's response to Stanford's weak proposal urged the parties to continue negotiating and to focus efforts on finding an acceptable compromise solution," a spokesman said. "Regrettably, Stanford flatly refused to meet with all parties and stated categorically that it refused to engage in any negotiation process involving the WICB."
A media release issued on Sunday by Digicel said it had sought to hold meetings with Stanford and the WICB in the light of the rejection of its compromise offer, but instead Stanford had themselves issued a media release blaming Digicel for the stalemate.
"Whilst Digicel would not argue with Stanford's entitlement to communicate with the media as it sees fits, it would point out that Stanford declined to properly explain in its release that the proposal put forward by it was expressly limited to one year as distinct from mirroring the duration of Digicel's exclusive sponsorship agreement with the WICB," Digicel said. "Further, the press release declined to explain the various restrictions which Stanford sought to impose on Digicel."
The WICB has remained almost silent in recent days as Digicel, its premier sponsor, and Stanford, a source of tremendous revenue and exposure for Caribbean cricket, slug it out in the media.
But there is a growing concern that the row could threaten the Stanford 20/20 for 20 match. Neither side has shown any willingness to back down, and a sponsorship insider told Cricinfo that "Digicel has been pushed as far as it is prepared to go". He continued: "The company is very confident about its legal ground on this one."
If arbitration fails to produce a settlement then the high court would have less than a fortnight to hear the case and make a decision. The Stanford warm-up matches start on October 25.
How can this row be solved ... and has the West Indies board created another unnecessary mess?
| ||||||
| Comments have now been closed for this article |
||||||
Top
News : Stanford 20/20 for 20 in doubt after board loses court case
Opinion : Court to rule if Stanford game can proceed
News : Stanford rejects Digicel contract offer
News : Digicel proposes compromise to contract row
News : Digicel maintains its rights are being infringed
News : West Indies board confident of resolution with Digicel
News : Stanford match threatened by sponsor dispute
News : Stanford Superstars different from West Indies - Stanford
News : WICB, Digicel yet to resolve sponsorship dispute
Sponsored Links
Western Union Instant Win Game
NoPurchaseNecessary. Subject toOfficial Rules
Buy Ashes merchandise - clothes, books, DVDs & more
At Cricshop
Get the right speed and online tools
Rogers Business Internet
No Minimum Balance NRI Account
Citibank
and get a calling card
Whereby I appreciate the innovation called the Stanford 20/20, I am compelled to side with the Sponsors Digicel as they have been the ones to fund the WI team for the past 4 or so years. Is there no respect given to them as the Title Sponsor of the WI team. It is unfortunate that this is taking place as I am sure that the Law is clear on these matters. When will we come to our sense of decency and do the right thing . The Contract of the Sponsor seems to supersede in this case and if anyone wants to do otherwise then they should be clear as to the rules and act accordingly. The "Do it my way" behavior shown by so many people in the sporting industry is something that seems to be prevalent in most sports. Remember people in is only sports and FAIR PLAY is required in this arena. Let's Work this out sooner than later.
Posted by windiescricetfan on (September 23 2008, 13:00 PM GMT)Digicel will be out of west indies cricket for good thank god. They have so far, banned brian lara dwayne bravo and half of the team, before being forced to back down after arbitration. They have no leg to stand on in this case. Is there some law that says west indian players can only play for the west indies cricket team? If so how come bravo and chanderpaul were allowed to play in the IPL and the English county season in the recent past? Stanford All Stars are not a West Indies team, they are not selected by the board and cannot be disciplined (see xavier marshall) by the west indies cricket board.
Posted by dennis79 on (September 22 2008, 22:39 PM GMT)The Digicel sponsorship should be cancelled. It has only ever caused unnecessary pain and anguish to the WI international players and to WI cricket in general. It has also made me more inclined to boycott Digicel's products.
Posted by brianbrain on (September 22 2008, 16:55 PM GMT)Cricket is fast becoming an unstoppable commercial enterprise, it needs to have one body to run it's finances,frankly these cricket boards don't have a clue what they are doing. I am afraid cricket as we know it will die as investors are only interested in 20 20 cricket and seem to be able to bully the ICC who should take matters in hand by telling these companies what is acceptable. I don't see individuals dictating to FIFA so why should it be so with cricket.If all player registration was held by the ICC they could dictate what was played where and by whom.
Posted by lazytrini on (September 22 2008, 13:44 PM GMT)I wish WICB would cancel the sponsorship, Digicel has done enough to hurt WI cricket as it is. Money might be the curse of 20/20 cricket, but the Digicel sponsorship has been of the recent many curses of the WI. But clearly the board is spineless, as is displayed by their silence here, and right now they have no clue which side their bread is buttered on...
Posted by crickethits.com on (September 22 2008, 13:06 PM GMT)Money is the biggest curse of 20-20 cricket...
Posted by NBRADEE on (September 22 2008, 12:01 PM GMT)Digicel has no real point in wanting the intervention they crave for the game on Nov. 1 in Antigua. In fact, they should be trying to ensure the success of the game and the literal and figurative fortunes of West Indies cricket by synergising the arrangement, as they have a broader involvement than Mr. Stanford does while they have invested significantly less in money terms. The West Indies board has proven itself to be the most naive of all cricket administrations worldwide once again, as they thought earlier that this would've never become a problem, and never legislated to ensure transparency in the advent of crossed concerns from stakeholders in the regional game. Anyone following the discourse arising from the PCB's invitation to the Windies to tour Pakistan in lieu of the postponed ICC Champion's Trophy will understand my point