Pakistan cricketers unwilling to renew contracts with PCB, demand more share in NFT sales

Pakistan are all set to lock horns against Afghanistan in a three-match ODI series starting August 22. For both teams, the 50-over contest will work as preparation ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup, scheduled to be held from August 31 to September 17. The series will be played in Sri Lanka with the last match slated to take place on August 26. Ahead of the ODI encounter, Pakistani players have reportedly refused to sign central contracts with the PCB over various concerns. 

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Pakistan players show reluctance in signing new contracts with PCB

Amidst disagreements over the sale of licensed digital rights, Pakistani cricket players are showing reluctance towards committing to long-term central contracts with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The impasse has persisted since the expiration of the previous set of contracts on June 30. According to reports, the dispute centers around the players' desire for a more significant share and influence in the sale of their digital rights or Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), which the PCB currently manages.

Pakistani players seek either independent negotiation rights or a greater portion of the proceeds from the PCB's earnings given the substantial sums being offered by entities like Rario for sports NFTs encompassing player images, clips, and sound bites.

The PCB currently generates revenues from the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) by licensing players' digital content for events overseen by these organizations. Additional income is garnered through the sale of digital rights tied to the Pakistan Super League (PSL). While the PCB already provides players a share of their digital rights earnings, players argue that the current arrangement falls short of their expectations.

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In an attempt to address these issues, the PCB has proposed a three-year central contract. However, players remain hesitant about committing to this timeframe. Players have reportedly maintained their stance on securing a more substantial share from the sale of their digital rights. They also seek a greater portion of the revenue generated from the sale of broadcasting rights.

To resolve the deadlock, a senior PCB official is presently in Sri Lanka, engaging in negotiations with players to encourage them to sign the contracts devised by the board.

Image: PCB