In a major policy shift designed to clean up financial irregularities in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will, for the first time, implement a revenue-sharing model to support franchises and enforce player payments.
The decision, finalized at a recent governing council meeting in Dhaka, comes in response to mounting pressure over non-payments to players during the last BPL season.
“This is the first time that the BCB will distribute revenue from ticket sales to BPL franchises,” the BCB said in a statement confirming the development.
Franchises will receive financial support based on their performance in the previous season. Teams that reached the playoffs will be allocated approximately BDT 5.5 million (USD 45,000), while non-playoff teams will receive around BDT 4.5 million (USD 36,000).
Disbursements tied to verified player payments
Crucially, the BCB has made the financial aid conditional. Only those franchises that can verify they have cleared pending payments to players will be eligible for disbursements.
“The disbursement, scheduled ahead of Eid-ul-Adha, will be conditional upon the verification of payment acknowledgments from the respective players,” the statement added.
The move is intended not only to assist struggling franchises but also to reinforce contractual responsibility and ensure the financial integrity of the tournament.
Durbar Rajshahi incident forces action
The revenue-sharing initiative follows a series of high-profile controversies in the previous BPL season, with the Durbar Rajshahi franchise at the center of the storm. Overseas players boycotted a match due to unpaid dues, while local players skipped training in protest. As the tournament concluded, some overseas players remained stranded in a Dhaka hotel awaiting their payments.
After multiple missed deadlines, Bangladesh’s sports ministry intervened, applying pressure on team owner Shafiqur Rahman to settle the outstanding payments.
Final payouts linked to cleared dues, legal threats for defaulters
The BCB has confirmed that the final payment amount to each franchise will depend on how much of their player payment obligations have been fulfilled.
“The final disbursement amount for each franchise will be determined proportionally, based on the percentage of outstanding player payments they have cleared relative to their eligible share,” the BCB stated.
In a further step to enforce compliance, the board has also announced its intent to pursue legal action against persistent defaulters.
“In addition, the Governing Council has decided to pursue legal action against any franchise that continues to default on payment obligations despite repeated official notices. This decision reflects the BCB’s commitment to ensuring contractual accountability and maintaining the integrity of the league.”
BCB sets precedent with governance overhaul
This revenue-sharing model signals a broader shift in BCB’s governance philosophy, aligning the BPL more closely with international standards for league management. By directly linking financial incentives with responsible franchise behavior, the BCB is attempting to foster a more professional and accountable environment in one of the country’s marquee cricket tournaments.
The new approach is not just about distributing money—it’s about setting a precedent. With legal threats in play and disbursements tied to transparency, the BCB is attempting to send the message that financial mismanagement will no longer be tolerated in the BPL.
