West Indies players set for 25% pay cut as CWI announces financial restructuring

Cricinfo – West Indies’ players are set to endure a pay cut, with Cricket West Indies (CWI) announcing a 25% reduction in retainer fees as part of a wide-ranging series of steps being undertaken in what the board has termed “a comprehensive counterattack against all the challenges we face financially, developmentally and competitively”. While international players will remain on 12-month contracts, domestic players will now be on retainer contracts reduced to seven months.

West Indies has been at the forefront of a global trend towards players rejecting central contracts in order to pursue careers as T20 franchise freelancers. CWI’s latest move seems likely to accelerate this trend.

“We appreciate the spirit of cooperation of the West Indies Players’ Association and the players who have demonstrated their understanding of the circumstances we all face,” CWI chief executive Chris Dehring said in a statement. “While not ideal, it is a necessary step towards financial stability.”