The head of world cricket's players union believes governing bodies should be "on their toes" about a "potential raid on their players by a rebel group despite the Indian conglomerate having a poor record in cricket administration," according to Chris Barrett of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Essel Group, which owns Asian media company Zee Entertainment and TV network Ten Sports, "had registered companies in Australia, New Zealand and other international-playing countries," prompting concerns about a plot to "take on the establishment, possibly with a new global Twenty20 league." Essel previously ran the Indian Cricket League, which "ended abruptly" in '09 with more than $2M owed to more than 40 players including Australians, and was later the subject of corruption admissions. While Federation of Int'l Cricketers' Associations CEO Tony Irish believes cricketers "would be wary about signing up for a body that in the past reneged on payments," he said that many would be "tempted." Irish: "Obviously there will be some reticence from players based on what has happened but I don't think you can discount the fact that players will be interested." Irish agreed that players from "outside the so-called big three of world cricket -- Australia, India and England -- would be more easily persuaded by a rebel approach for financial reasons." Irish said, "International cricket and mainstream cricket have got to be on their toes to keep their players." Former Indian Premier League Commissioner Lalit Modi on Monday took to Twitter to "deny suggestions he was involved in the plan by Essel."
Modi wrote, "I looked at the proposal when presented to me, But decided not for me at the moment" (
SMH, 4/27).
