A proposed eight-team Twenty20 competition in English cricket "may not start" until '20, according to the BBC. It "had been suggested" the new format, which will "take place in addition to the 18-team T20 Blast," could start in '18 if it was given the go-ahead. But England & Wales Cricket Board bosses have told county members' forums this week that '20 "is now their targeted start date." That is "partly because the existing broadcasting deal expires" in '19. The ECB is keen to introduce a new T20 event to rival the Indian Premier League and Australia's Big Bash League, "and has said this is a watershed moment for the sport in England and Wales." The ECB, "which is discussing the plans for the competition at a board meeting on Tuesday," is referring to the new tournament as regional rather than city-based or franchise-based. That could "open the way for some games to be held at non-Test grounds." Some counties have welcomed the proposal, but others have raised concerns about its "potential impact on their revenue and future health" (BBC, 10/18). In London, Tom Collomosse reported it is "unclear exactly what would happen to the NatWest Blast, the current domestic T20 tournament, which features all 18 first-class counties." Launching in '20 would present an "intriguing scenario" regarding TV rights. ECB’s deal with Sky Sports, worth about £280M ($343.7M), expires in '19. BT Sport is now "serious players in the cricket market, having secured rights to next winter’s Ashes series," and is thought to have a "strong interest in English domestic cricket." If the new tournament proceeds -- and Notts all-rounder Samit Patel said that the concept was a "no-brainer" -- counties could receive about £1.5M ($1.84M) each from the £35M ($42.96M) in TV revenue (EVENING STANDARD, 10/18).
