More for players after new CWI-WIPA MOU

KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC):

CRICKET WEST Indies (CWI) and the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) announced late on Thursday they had signed a new memorandum of understanding that features increased match fees, greater team prizes, and the award of multi-year retainer contracts, as well as gender pay equity.

In a joint media release, the two sides said the new MOU, which governs relations between them, will cover the period from October 1 last year to September 30, 2027, and captures all agreements in respect of player remuneration, and updated terms and conditions across the West Indies system.

“Some important provisions agreed upon in the new MOU, as reflected in the terms and conditions of engagement, are: significantly increased team prize money throughout the system and new individual player rewards, full match fees for players in the starting 11, and 80 per cent for reserves effective from October 1 this year,” the media release stated.

“All retainers on hold once a no-objection certificate is issued for an overseas domestic franchise tournament effective from October 1 this year; the potential for CWI and [territorial] franchises to award multi-year retainer contracts (up to 3-years).”

The media release added: “Increased international and regional match fees and ICC tournament fees for all women’s cricketers, to achieve parity by October 1, 2027; increases for international and regional men’s match fees (effective October 1, 2023).

“Align international women’s contracts and regional men’s contracts with the performance grading that has been established for the international men; and provision of a hospitality box and ground transportation for players’ families at all international home series matches.”

WIPA president Wavell Hinds, a former West Indies batsman, said implementing the changes will mark a milestone in the sport at the elite level in the Caribbean.

“Without a doubt, this is a truly historic and exciting time for our membership as the MOU addresses most levels of our pay scale,” he said.

“As we operate within a very fluid cricketing landscape, we are duty bound to conscientiously reward our regional and international players within the constraints of CWI’s budget and agree on policies that will produce and promote world-class performances.”

CWI chief executive officer Johnny Grave said the MOU introduced opportunities for compensation enhancement for both international and regional men’s players, signifying a commitment by CWI to acknowledge and reward excellence.

“The increases in prize money, greater rewards for our best-performing players, and higher match fees for players in the starting XIs, are all strategic moves to place a greater emphasis on winning,” he said.

CWI president Dr Kishore Shallow hailed the MOU for promoting gender pay equity with compensation levels for women set to reach parity with the men in four years.

“This is a historic day for West Indies cricket,” he said.

“As we overhaul the compensation structures and align performance grading, we are taking a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and progressive cricket framework.

“This step reflects our unwavering commitment to gender equality, and acknowledges the immense contributions of female players to West Indies cricket.”