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ECB CEO Richard Gould backs India to be responsible partners amid revenue-disparity concerns
As part of a new revenue-distribution model, India are set to take home 38.5% of the $600m earnings over the next four-year commercial cycle. The ECB are the next highest earners in the proposed model, potentially earning $41.33 million (6.89%) with Cricket Australia next highest with $37.53 million (6.25%).
The PCB is projected to make over $34.51 million (5.75%) leaving the remaining eight Full Members with below 5% of the earnings. Of the $600 million projected pool, the 12 Full Members will get $532.84 million (88.81%), with the remaining $67.16 million (11.19%) going to the Associate Members.
"I get it (the financial inequality). But I also understand how important India is, because without them we wouldn't have the kind of revenues that are coming into the game."
Richard Gould
"What I'm also fascinated by is India's determination also to assist the world game. You look at the percentages and go 'Well, that's not fair it should be split equally'. But we've got to look at the size of the market. India play as many international fixtures as any other team in the world. And they do that because they know when they tour as an international team, they bring interest and revenue to that home side. I think it's important to see things in the round, in that regard.
"I get it (the financial inequality). But I also understand how important India is, because without them we wouldn't have the kind of revenues that are coming into the game. And I do think India make huge efforts to be responsible partners in this when I see the amount they travel around the world, taking India everywhere. I do think it is a balance.
"I think there is collective decision-making, both in India and within the ICC, and I think there is a real determination and understanding we need [for] cricket to be expanding and we need it to be healthy around the world."
Gould suggested that the money could be better shared around the game if boards pay touring sides, a shift from the current situation where host boards retain all revenue generated. Over the last few years, that situation has served to highlight inequalities throughout the game's various markets, particularly when it comes to Test cricket.
Full members like West Indies, South Africa and New Zealand are in the process of backtracking from red-ball cricket given the costs incurred to host Tests are not worthwhile as far as their own domestic deals are concerned, particularly at the expense of limited-overs fixtures. Gould sees no reason why that should be the case and feels countries like England, where Test cricket thrives, must do more.
"When somebody tours England, we don't pay them a fee, we don't pay their players," Gould said. "The way that it's done in bilateral cricket at the moment is you retain your own home domestic revenues. And when you travel away, they received their domestic revenue. That's where the disparity of markets comes in. That's something we will want to and will need to look at in terms of encouraging people not just to play Test but make sure they can pay their players, and pay them well, so that they want to play Test cricket again."
More cricket being played around the world a 'good thing'
On the subject of franchise cricket, the former Surrey chief executive regards the increase in T20 competitions around the world as an example of cricket's growth. Moreover, he is of the belief the upcoming Major League T20 in the United States can help the game reach new, high-yield markets.
"You look at the T20 franchises and all these leagues that are being created - there is more cricket being played around the world now than there ever has been before. That has got to be a good thing.
"And then there are mother markets in play. The States is an interesting market. What happens if we get cricket in the Olympics, which is in the States (Los Angeles, 2028)? There's another key, pivotal moment for it. There will be some bumpy patches along the way in terms of what direction we take, but never mind that. Let's look at the overall big picture - the game is growing."
"You could argue it gives us a point of difference, in a very crowded market," he said. "It is a point of difference.
"You see the competition that we're in globally now. Every country needs to have a super, primetime white ball domestic comp. We have invested very heavily in the Hundred over a number of years, both emotionally and financially. We need to make it bigger and better. We also have the Blast which we need to make bigger and better.
"We are not going to take the Hundred out. We are going to make it bigger and better. We are going to make the whole of cricket, bigger and better. That is our aim. We want to do it in a really collaborative fashion where everyone feels they have a role, they have purpose and they have something to gain from this.
"The format is not something that is on my agenda, in this regard, because Sky have been really supportive in driving it forward. It's given us that point of difference. Everybody around the world, in the cricketing world, has heard of the Hundred. That's a good thing. That's a good thing - we like debate. When you look at sport, more than 50% of the coverage that we get is about the politics and the machinations of the sport rather than the sport itself. That's a good thing too - as long as people are talking about the game, I'm pretty happy."
Vithushan Ehantharajah is an associate editor at ESPNcricinfo
"Yes, Dhoni has had a successful knee surgery at the Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai on Thursday," CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan was quoted as saying by PTI. "He is doing fine and the surgery happened in the morning. I don't have details. I am yet to get all the details about the nature of surgery and other things."
According to PTI, Dhoni has already been discharged from the hospital after a keyhole surgery was performed for "arthroscopic repair".
"He has already been discharged from hospital and he has gone back to Ranchi," a CSK source was quoted as saying. "He would be resting for a few days at home before his extensive rehabilitation starts. It is now expected that he would have enough time to get fit to play in the next IPL."
"If you circumstantially see, it's the best time to announce retirement." Dhoni had said. "The easy thing for me to say is thank you and retire. But the hard thing to do is to work hard for nine months and try to play one more IPL season. The body has to hold up. But the amount of love I have received from CSK fans, it would be a gift for them to play one more season.
"The way they've shown their love and emotion, it's something I need to do for them. It's the last part of my career. It started over here and full house was chanting my name. It was same thing in Chennai, but it will be good to come back and play whatever I can. The kind of cricket I play, they feel they can play that cricket. There's nothing orthodox about it and I like to keep it simple."
"Frankly, we are not even thinking along those lines as we haven't reached that stage," Viswanathan had said. "It will be completely Dhoni's call. But I can tell you, in CSK, we haven't entertained those thoughts."
Pulisic, Balogun on USMNT Nations League roster
Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Folarin Balogun headline the 24-player U.S. roster that will prepare for the final four of the Concacaf Nations League.
The men's national team roster marks the first under interim manager B.J. Callaghan, who was appointed earlier this week after predecessor Anthony Hudson departed to take up a managerial post with an unidentified club in the Middle East.
Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams is injured and did not make the squad. Adams was listed on the preliminary roster last month despite undergoing hamstring surgery in March, ruling him out for the rest of the Premier League season.
The players will begin reporting to Los Angeles on Sunday for training camp.
The final, 23-player roster won't be official until submitted to Concacaf, which is required no later than Monday.
The U.S. is set to square off against rival Mexico on June 15.
"In addition to having big-game experience and top-level talent, what's great about this group overall is the familiarity and understanding that's been built together these last four years about our style and our culture," Callaghan said in a statement. "We're excited to integrate some of the newer faces as we set out to achieve our first goal of the summer in defending the Concacaf Nations League title."
Balogun will be taking part in his first U.S. camp since filing a one-time change of association with FIFA to represent the country.
He is coming off a stellar season while on loan with Stade de Reims, scoring 21 goals in all competitions. He is expected to make his debut against El Tri.
"I can tell you that his commitment to the U.S. is unwavering," Callaghan told media of Balogun. "He's excited to come in with the group. He's someone that I spoke to about embracing the brotherhood that we have. It's a welcoming environment. The guys are going to welcome him in. They're all excited and he's excited.
"But at the same time I challenged him and I said, 'listen, you have to put yourself out there and you have to integrate with the group. We're going to work as hard as we can to integrate you. And at the same time, it's your responsibility on the field and off the field to become part of this group as quick as we can.'
"We have a lot of case studies of guys that have come in and it's been super successful and I expect nothing different with [Balogun]."
Other uncapped players are the goalkeeping duo of Inter Miami's Drake Callender and Maccabi Haifa's Josh Cohen.
There is considerable experience as well, as 13 players took part in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, including eight who started all four matches in Qatar.
Pulisic is the most-capped player with 58.
Overall, the training camp roster's average age will be 24 years, 216 days as of the first day of training. The squad averages 17 caps overall and 11 in official competition.
Among those sidelined because of injuries are Adams, Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers, West Bromwich forward Daryl Dike, Luton Town goalkeeper Ethan Horvath, Fulham defender Tim Ream, Norwich City forward Josh Sargent, Manchester City goalkeeper Zack Steffen and Rangers attacker Malik Tillman.
The absence of both Horvath and Steffen practically ensures that, barring injury, Arsenal's Matt Turner will be starting in goal.
Steffen had arthroscopic knee surgery to repair meniscus damage he suffered early last season and had to manage all year, a source told ESPN.
The source said he will be out three to four months, which will likely postpone a decision on a loan destination. Steffen is under contract with Man City for two more years and will rehab with that team in meantime.
Callaghan also confirmed that LAFC midfielder Kellyn Acosta was left out as a precaution after he sat out the first leg of the Concacaf Champions League final against Leon on Wednesday, but suggested he could be included in the Gold Cup roster later this summer.
DETAILED ROSTER BY POSITION (Club/Country; Caps/Goals)
GOALKEEPERS (4): Drake Callender (Inter Miami; 0/0), Josh Cohen (Maccabi Haifa/ISR; 0/0), Sean Johnson (Toronto FC/CAN; 12/0), Matt Turner (Arsenal/ENG; 26/0)
DEFENDERS (7): Sergiño Dest (AC Milan/ITA; 24/2), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/ENG; 8/0), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG; 34/2), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United; 21/3), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach/GER; 4/0), Auston Trusty (Birmingham City/ENG; 1/0), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; 39/3)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Johnny Cardoso (Internacional/BRA; 6/0), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo/ESP; 14/0), Weston McKennie (Leeds United/ENG; 43/11), Yunus Musah (Valencia/ESP; 25/0), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund/GER; 18/4), Alan Soñora (FC Juárez/MEX; 2/0)
FORWARDS (7): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United/ENG; 30/7), Folarin Balogun (Stade de Reims/FRA; 0/0), Taylor Booth (Utrecht/NED; 2/0), Ricardo Pepi (Groningen/NED; 14/6), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea/ENG; 58/23), Tim Weah (Lille/FRA; 29/4), Alex Zendejas (Club América/MEX; 3/1)
Brady says he's 'certain' he's not playing again
Tom Brady reiterated Thursday that he has no plans to play in the NFL again after retiring in February, but he hopes agreeing to buy into the Las Vegas Raiders will allow him to be involved in the league for the rest of his life.
"I'm certain I'm not playing again, so I've tried to make that clear and I hate to continue to profess that, cause I've already told people that lots of times," Brady told Sports Illustrated in response to a question about fans and media who continue to come up with scenarios where he might return to the field.
Later Thursday, Brady, 45, told ESPN in an interview with "SportsCenter" that becoming a part-time NFL owner is a "dream come true."
"I ... want to be involved in the NFL for the next 45 years of my life if I last that long," Brady said.
Raiders owner Mark Davis announced last week that Brady had agreed to join the organization's ownership group, pending NFL approval. As with all prospective minority and majority owners, at least 24 current NFL team owners have to approve Brady's partnership.
Brady also is part of Davis' WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces ownership group, having acquired a stake in March.
Brady retired in February last year but reversed course after 41 days to return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a third season. If he ever decided he wanted to play for the Raiders, as an owner, a dual role with the franchise would have to be approved by NFL owners.
However, Brady told ESPN he's "really looking forward to not getting hit anymore" and not being chased by pass-rushers such as the Los Angeles Rams' Aaron Donald.
"The game's in great hands," Brady said of the NFL's current crop of star quarterbacks. "It's time for other guys to do it.
"... Now I'm just a retired NFL player looking forward to watching all these guys," he added.
Brady said Thursday he's also looking forward to beginning his role as a broadcaster for Fox Sports in 2024 and spending more time with his children.
"Being a dad is the greatest responsibility I have," he told ESPN.
Brady announced his retirement after the 2022 season on Feb. 1, after 23 seasons and seven Super Bowl titles. The three-time NFL MVP won six Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and one with the Buccaneers. He ended his career as the NFL's leader in career passing yards (89,214) and touchdown passes (649).
The Patriots plan to honor Brady during their home opener on Sept. 10. Brady told ESPN that it was "such a kind gesture" by Patriots owner Robert Kraft and he has "always felt" like he has been a member of the Patriots organization.
Brady also discussed his relationship with coach Bill Belichick, telling ESPN he "was very fortunate" to be able to play for him.
"He very much trusted what I was out there doing in the field, and it went both ways. Ultimately our success was because so many people in the organization, as coach Belichick always said, 'do your job,' and I did as quarterback and leader," he said, adding he "learned so much from him."
Brady told ESPN he has a great relationship with Belichick, adding that his former coach "was one of the first people to text me after we won the Super Bowl in Tampa."
Brady said he and Belichick "have a lot of mutual respect.
"Were there times when we weren't eye to eye? Very few and far between, actually. I still envision our relationship as positive and always will," he said.
McDaniels: 'No anxiety' over Raiders' QB situation
HENDERSON, Nev. -- Las Vegas Raiders coach Josh McDaniels said Thursday he is not concerned abouts reports and rumors that his new starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo might not be able to play this season.
"I have no anxiety," McDaniels said. "You guys may have anxiety. I have no anxiety.
"I'm not going to put a timeline or a day on anything."
Garoppolo, who joined the Raiders on a three-year, $72.75 million free agent contract on March 17, also signed a waiver/release in place of a physical because of his injured left foot, suffered Dec. 4 while playing for the San Francisco 49ers.
He underwent surgery after signing with the Raiders and has not been able to practice on the field with the team during voluntary OTAs, although Garoppolo has been in the building. The Raiders hope to have him available at the start of training camp as he continues to rehab.
Garoppolo's introductory news conference was postponed a day in March, presumably after the Raiders found issues with his foot and had him sign the waiver.
Asked that day to shed light on the delay and if the injury played a part, Garoppolo said, "No worry.
"I mean, it was just talking, language, things like that. But no, both sides I think, knew what we wanted to get done, so it was very collaborative actually. Just us coming together."
Garoppolo's $11.25 million signing bonus was also converted into base salary -- giving him a total $22.5 base salary for 2023 -- and lending credence to the notion that Las Vegas could part ways with him should he not be able to pass a physical before the season begins.
Asked why he had no "anxiety" regarding the quarterback position, McDaniels smiled.
"I don't worry about the things I can't control," McDaniels said. "I have very good information that tells me that we're going to be fine, you know what I mean? So again, nothing has happened that would've changed that, so that's why I feel that way."
Brian Hoyer, who has experience in McDaniels' system from his time with the New England Patriots and is entering his 15th NFL season, signed with Las Vegas as a free agent this past offseason and has been taking first-team reps. The Raiders also drafted Aidan O'Connell out of Purdue in the fourth round and return second-year player Chase Garbers.
Stevens: Mazzulla will return as coach of Celtics
Joe Mazzulla remains head coach of the Boston Celtics and will return next season, team president Brad Stevens said Thursday.
"He's a terrific leader," Stevens said. "He'll only get better at anything that he can learn from this year, because he's constantly trying to learn. And he's accountable."
Mazzulla, 34, led the Celtics to a 57-25 record and the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference in his first season on the bench. Boston's season ended Monday with a Game 7 loss to the Miami Heat in the East finals.
Mazzulla took over when coach Ime Udoka was suspended for the season in September for multiple violations of team rules. He reportedly had an intimate relationship with an unidentified female staff member.
Three Celtics assistant coaches -- Ben Sullivan, Aaron Miles and Mike Mose -- are reportedly leaving to rejoin Udoka, who was named head coach of the Houston Rockets last month.
The Philadelphia Phillies placed infielder Alec Bohm on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a left hamstring injury.
Bohm missed Sunday's game at Atlanta with tightness in the hamstring, and the Phillies were off Monday. He returned to the lineup Tuesday against the Mets but aggravated the injury making a defensive play at third base.
"Very mild, but we want to take care of it and knock it out," manager Rob Thomson said. "He had the two days off and we thought we had knocked it out."
Bohm, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 draft, is batting .265 with six home runs and 37 RBI in 53 games this season.
The Phillies promoted infielder Drew Ellis from Triple-A Lehigh Valley ahead of Thursday's matinee against the host Mets, who have won the first two games in the series.
Ellis, 27, last played in the majors in 2022 with the Diamondbacks and Mariners. He is hitting .269 with a 1.009 OPS, eight homers and 27 RBI in 21 games at two minor league levels this season.
Thomson said Edmundo Sosa will start at third base in Bohm's absence. Kody Clemens will play first base against right-handed pitchers and Ellis will start at first against lefties.
The Colorado Rockies reinstated Charlie Blackmon from the bereavement list and placed fellow outfielder Kris Bryant on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a left heel bruise.
Blackmon, 36, is batting .287 with five homers and 23 RBI in 48 games this season, his 13th with the Rockies.
Bryant, 31, is hitting .263 with five home runs and 17 RBI in 50 games this season, his second with Colorado.
Bryant, the 2016 National League MVP, battled plantar fasciitis in his left foot in 2022 and played only 42 games.
LOS ANGELES -- Giancarlo Stanton, Josh Donaldson and Tommy Kahnle were activated by the New York Yankees on Thursday ahead of their weekend series at the Los Angeles Dodgers.
New York cleared three roster spots after Wednesday's 1-0 loss at Seattle, optioning infielder-outfielders Oswaldo Cabrera and Franchy Cordero to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre along with left-hander Matt Krook.
Stanton, Donaldson and Kahnle all played in a rehab game for Double-A Somerset on Tuesday. Stanton was hitless in three at-bats in his first appearance since injuring his left hamstring on April 15.
Donaldson went 1 for 4 in his fourth rehab game as he comes back from a strained right hamstring originally sustained on April 5.
Kahnle pitched one inning, giving up one run and one hit and walking two. He has been out since spring training with right biceps tendinitis.
Boone said he wasn't concerned about Stanton returning after playing in just one rehab game. He did say that Stanton likely will be a designated hitter for a couple of weeks after rejoining the Yankees.
New York is missing centerfielder Harrison Bader, who strained his right hamstring on Monday against the Mariners and went on the injured list the next day.
Left-hander Carlos Rodon, sidelined since spring training by a sore left forearm and an ailing back, was transferred to the 60-day injured list.
Noah Syndergaard said he is the Los Angeles Dodgers' "weakest link" after another poor outing that may have jeopardized his spot in the starting rotation.
The once-intimidating Syndergaard saw his ERA inflate to 6.54 after allowing five runs on seven hits -- including three home runs -- in Wednesday's loss to the last-place Nationals.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts would not say whether Syndergaard would make his next start, and the former All-Star admitted that the mechanical adjustments he has attempted have not been effective.
"It really sucks," Syndergaard told reporters. "Right now I just feel like I'm the weakest link on this team. I want to go out there and compete and be successful for the other guys in this clubhouse, but it's just not working out."
Syndergaard, whose early-career exploits with the Mets earned him the nickname Thor, said he would do anything to once again be a dominant pitcher with a 100 mph fastball.
"I would give my hypothetical firstborn to be the old me again," he said. "I'll do anything possible to get back to that. I'm expected to go out there and compete, and today I just fell behind a lot of hitters."
After splitting last season with the Angels and Phillies, Syndergaard signed a one-year, $13 million deal with the Dodgers, who hoped he would help stabilize the back end of their rotation.
But Syndergaard has allowed multiple runs in nine consecutive outings -- not counting one appearance that lasted only one inning because of injury -- and the Dodgers have gone 3-7 in his 10 starts this season. Roberts would not commit to Syndergaard making his next scheduled start next week against the Reds.
"As an organization, we've got to continue to figure out which guys give us the best chance to win on a particular day as far as starters," he said. "I don't know right now the plan as far as Noah, when he's going to start next."
Syndergaard, 30, missed all of 2020 after undergoing Tommy John surgery and has a 4.71 ERA over the past two-plus seasons. The right-hander went 10-10 with a 3.94 ERA last season with the Angels and National League-champion Phillies.
Although the they have two upcoming off-days on their schedule, the first-place Dodgers also are beleaguered by injuries to their starting rotation -- including Julio Urias and Dustin May, which could provide some short-term security for Syndergaard. Dodgers star catcher Will Smith acknowledged Syndergaard is "struggling right now" but said he was confident the nine-year veteran will bounce back.
"I know Noah specifically is going to keep working his [behind] off," Smith said, according to MLB.com. "That's what he does. No doubt he'll come back at some point, whether that's his next start or his start after that. He's too good of a pitcher not to come back."
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