India, International Cricket Battle Over Contracts

Backers of the new India Premier Cricket League are bracing for a battle with the International Cricket Council over the ICC’s decision to schedule matches so as to prohibit players from competing in the upstart league.

The Premier League has already signed player contracts worth A$45 million, with a recent player auction that has turned some cricket stars — hitherto poorly paid by international sporting standards — into instant millionaires, like Australia’s Andrew Symonds (left).  The sport’s international authorities have fought back with an annual international schedule that would prevent players from appearing both in the Premier League and on their national squads.

[Frank Snyder]