Australian cricketers lost A$1.2M ($940,000) in salaries "in the first fortnight of going off-contract in their pay dispute with Cricket Australia," according to Jon Pierik of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The funds have been "redirected into the grassroots game" as the sport's execs in Australia "clash over the future funding model for cricket." The pay dispute between Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers' Association "was showing no sign of ending soon" as discussions between the two warring parties "were parked" on Saturday after a week in which there were "mixed messages as to whether progress had been made." Players are "of the belief there is still much work to be done," although the decision by CA CEO James Sutherland to join negotiations last week "was seen as a positive." However, the "key agenda item" -- whether the players can retain the current revenue share model -- "remains a source of debate." The players want to continue to be paid from gross revenue. CA wants to pay them now from a set pool "with the ability to share in surplus funds." This mechanism will determine how almost A$500M ($391.6M) in payments to players will be spread over the next five years. Where "increased funds to pour into the sport at a grassroots level will be derived is also a major issue" (SMH, 7/16).
