Cricket Australia's promotion of next summer's Ashes "could be jeopardised," and a filmed advertisement for the series "stands to be shelved unless a truce can be reached to settle the continuing industrial dispute with the governing body," according to Chris Barrett of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The subject of cricket's image rights to the likes of Steve Smith, David Warner and Mitchell Starc is an "intriguing sub-plot to the standoff between CA and the Australian Cricketers' Association over the troubled negotiations for a new five-year pay agreement." Test captain Smith and other top players "agreed to film an Ashes marketing campaign last October" promoting the home series against England and received marketing payment "points" for it. However, their participation "was on the proviso that the footage can only be used beyond June 30 -- when the current deal expires -- if a new memorandum of understanding has been struck." If the two parties cannot reach mutual ground by the end of June and new contracts are not signed, then Smith and company "would effectively become free agents, a scenario that would not only leave the game in limbo" but could impact cricket's marketing and commercial arms as "they would no longer have image rights to the players." There are further "looming complications." CA's new alcohol partner, Lion, "asked for permission" to shoot an ad with players not involved in the Indian Premier League so the company can use the pictures on cartons of XXXX Gold. Players will agree but, like the Ashes campaign, only if a new MOU is signed (SMH, 3/31).
