CSA underestimated financial fallout

[SLICKR392]

While uncertainty hangs over India's tour to South Africa later this year, it has emerged that Cricket South Africa (CSA) might have underestimated the risk of appointing Haroon Lorgat as its chief executive despite BCCI's strong reservations against him. While the BCCI's antipathy towards Lorgat is well known in cricket circles, Jacques Faul, the former acting CSA chief, revealed to ESPNcricinfo that N Srinivasan, the BCCI president, had categorically warned that the tour might be at risk and CSA would stand to lose financially if they went ahead with Lorgat's appointment. Faul, who is now in charge of the Titans franchise, told ESPNcricinfo that Srinivasan had communicated as much to Willie Basson, CSA's acting president at the time. The conversation, according to Faul, took place during a Champions League T20 meeting in Malaysia in December 2012. Faul then approached Srinivasan himself and suggested that the BCCI could not tell CSA who to appoint as chief executive, but he was told that the BCCI wasn't telling them who to appoint, but who not to appoint. However, over the subsequent months, CSA assumed that the financial fallout of ignoring that warning would be "minimal". During this period Lorgat had secured an endorsement letter from IS Bindra, the former BCCI president and known critic of the current setup. It is unclear whether CSA assumed that a change of guard in India was imminent, but conversations between this reporter and several of the CSA officials involved in the discussions revealed that the board went ahead with the appointment after being satisfied with Lorgat's version of events. Lorgat, a former ICC chief executive, had been CSA's preferred candidate from the outset but it did not appoint him until it discussed the implication of the decision - which the BCCI indicated it would strongly object to - for cricket in the country. The BCCI's specific opposition to Lorgat has not been made public but Basson confirmed he heard that the board wanted charges of misconduct investigated against Lorgat during his time at the ICC (it is on record that Srinivasan raised this particular issue during an ICC board meeting). Basson had approached Lorgat about the issue and was satisfied with the response he got. "It did come up at the ICC board meetings I went to and there were rumours, but it was not discussed because he was leaving the ICC," Basson said. "I had discussions with him about the underlying issues. He denied that he had done anything wrong. He said whatever he had done as ICC chief executive was within accepted business practices and had the approval of the ICC president. I was comfortable with what I took away from my discussion with him." Lorgat applied for the CSA job after the board was restructured on February 2, confirming he had submitted his CV the next day. In March, a CSA delegation headed by its lead director Norman Arendse visited India where, again, the BCCI's concerns about Lorgat were made known. The following month, CSA's recruitment agency asked Faul, who had already left the organisation to take up the job of Titans chief executive, to apply for the position. He declined. CSA said they had not compiled a shortlist at that time and in May issued a release saying the search for a chief executive was "running on schedule," even though it was already a month late. The delay was never explained but at a CSA board meeting held during that period, one member asked what the financial ramifications of appointing Lorgat would be. Another director on the board answered, "minimal". It has since emerged that CSA made a potentially colossal error of judgment. The board stands to lose up to R200 million if the tour is shortened, a likely development with the BCCI shrinking the available window. If it is cancelled, the losses CSA will incur could impact the game in South Africa for years to come. CSA have refused to comment until after the BCCI's annual general meeting on September 29, when it will be known whether Srinivasan is elected for another term as president. CSA has continued to function as usual, holding off-season conferences, ranging from a coaches seminar to a transformation indaba . One administrator told ESPNcricinfo that these activities have a feel of normalcy to them until the formal discussions are adjourned. Then, in the corridors, there is deep concern among officials who fear India may not visit South Africa at all and the game will be financially crippled. "We are s**t scared," the official said. "All of us."

http://m.espncricinfo.com/s/5643/103?countryId=6&allinOne=true&newsDetails=true&country=topNews&story_id=673471&story_headline=CSA%20underestimated%20financial%20fallout&topHead=true

[King Tendulkar]

Srinivisan is a bully . Disgusting bully. Thats why despite all the scum has done some how going to be BCCI president again. Vindictive, telling another board not to appoint someone or else. Wan////ker

[King Tendulkar]

We have no right to interfere in another boards INTERNAL matters!! Disgusting. Its not like they appointed Hitler!!!

[G_B_]

This is why i liked Pawar as BCCI prez. The man will take his cut money wise and then do nothing else. You get a feeling with Srini and Dalmiya, its all about ego.

[Robelinda]

Im disgusted by this kind of stuff, by ANY board. CSA really havent done anything wrong, and I despise CSA, always have done. Have always supported India when SA are playing them in the past.

[asterix]

Srini is a GRADE 1 MOFO...

[velu]

I like the way mamu/bcci is bullying :bow: Once in a while we shld do something to advertise who's the boss Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4

[Number]

Srini has become Obama of cricket.

[putrevus]

Why is it disgusting, BCCI has every right to say who they don't want to interact, they never said you should appoint this particular person. Lorgat as ICC's CEO always tried to undermine BCCI and hence BCCI has every right to be bitter against him.He tried to placate ECB more during his tenure. CSA has always been a strong ally for BCCI but this appointment surely has pissed BCCI off.

[JaFanatic]

I like the way mamu/bcci is bullying :bow: Once in a while we shld do something to advertise who's the boss Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4

+ but they should not cancel the test series there :beee:

[asterix]

Why is it disgusting, BCCI has every right to say who they don't want to interact, they never said you should appoint this particular person. Lorgat as ICC's CEO always tried to undermine BCCI and hence BCCI has every right to be bitter against him.He tried to placate ECB more during his tenure. CSA has always been a strong ally for BCCI but this appointment surely has pissed BCCI off.

Say in whichever way but not at the expense of Cricket series or matches. BCCI is acting like a petulant child. All they know is to harm the cricket at the drop of hat. Man up, don't be a coward in using cricket series as bargaining tool.... MOFO Srini....Coward...

[putrevus]

Say in whichever way but not at the expense of Cricket series or matches. BCCI is acting like a petulant child. All they know is to harm the cricket at the drop of hat. Man up, don't be a coward in using cricket series as bargaining tool.... MOFO Srini....Coward...

It is not being coward, it is just using the upper hand to your advantage in business.If CSA want to get financial gain due to BCCI then it should also understand it has obligations towards it. CSA clearly overplayed their hand and time will only tell if it has any long term ramifications for BCCI. Lorgat is sly fox, he always was playing politics as ICC ceo.

[Crookbond]

Interesting views by 'putrevus'. I think morally BCCI is wrong but then can be spun off as a "business decision". A litmus test would be to ask - Would we give the same reaction if it was Bangladesh?

[G_B_]

I think even CSA need to share some of the blame. If i am a company and my largest customer has grave reservations about appointing an executive as a CEO then IMO as a shareholder in that company i wont appoint him as a CEO. Thats just common sense whichever way you look at it. Its not as if Lorgat is the only CEO in the world. I read the list of candidates and there were many capable people. Yes probably not as good as Lorgat but capable enough to get the job done. Fundamentally though BCCI needs to stop messing about in internal affairs. Yes Lorgat and then were at each others throats as the CEO of the ICC. But that does not mean that he is not going to have a change of heart and act according to the best interests of his board and cosy upto the BCCI. You already had the situation whereby SA did not vote (abstained) on the two new balls issue. 2 new balls in cricket would benefit SA based on their attack but they are **** scared to do anything with the tour in potential balance. Lorgat is basically paying for doing his job. He moved the matches away from Eden Gardens because the stadium was not ready in time for the matches. How is that his fault that CAB under Dalmiya messed up? Is he supposed to give a green light and say ok go on? He also has every right as the CEO of ICC to take stock of the tickets to ensure they are not sold in the black market or to friends of those in charge for nothing. One thing to arise from this is that the ICC CEO's , whoever is in charge basically need to not challenge the BCCI in any way. If they do i think the BCCI are shallow and petty minded enough to ensure you wont work in the game effectively. No board in the world is going to make the same mistake as CSA. Its laid down the marker. Sad.

[G_B_]

Btw a solution might be for CSA to ask Lorgat to resign. Pay out his contract and hire the second person on the list. Its better to pay Lorgat off and suffer a R5 million loss than a R200 million loss. If i was Lorgat i would take the money and leave for the good of cricket. I am already hearing murmurs that some South african local state sides and franchises and scared of losing their champions league revenue and want Lorgat to step down. If he does step down then IMO we can play 4 tests this tour and play the limited overs part at some other date.

[Crookbond]

A lot has been said about BCCI messing in "internal affairs of CSA" (including me). But, is it really interfering in CSA affairs? I think the BCCI is just looking after its own interests. It feels threatened with Lorgat at the helm and want to keep control over proceedings.

[G_B_]

A lot has been said about BCCI messing in "internal affairs of CSA" (including me). But' date=' is it really interfering in CSA affairs? I think the BCCI is just looking after its own interests. It feels threatened with Lorgat at the helm and want to keep control over proceedings.[/quote'] yes but everything has a limit when it comes to own interests. Maybe rather than feeling threatened its time the BCCI watch what Lorgat does as chairman of the CSA. People wear different hats when in different roles. why does everything have to be pre emptive? Secondly where does this interest stop? Do you tell opponents that you will refuse to tour unless they make dustbowls? cause it exposes FTB's like Raina? Interest can go a long way on and off the field.

[BeautifulGame]

I think even CSA need to share some of the blame. If i am a company and my largest customer has grave reservations about appointing an executive as a CEO then IMO as a shareholder in that company i wont appoint him as a CEO. Thats just common sense whichever way you look at it. Its not as if Lorgat is the only CEO in the world. I read the list of candidates and there were many capable people. Yes probably not as good as Lorgat but capable enough to get the job done. Fundamentally though BCCI needs to stop messing about in internal affairs. Yes Lorgat and then were at each others throats as the CEO of the ICC. But that does not mean that he is not going to have a change of heart and act according to the best interests of his board and cosy upto the BCCI. You already had the situation whereby SA did not vote (abstained) on the two new balls issue. 2 new balls in cricket would benefit SA based on their attack but they are **** scared to do anything with the tour in potential balance. Lorgat is basically paying for doing his job. He moved the matches away from Eden Gardens because the stadium was not ready in time for the matches. How is that his fault that CAB under Dalmiya messed up? Is he supposed to give a green light and say ok go on? He also has every right as the CEO of ICC to take stock of the tickets to ensure they are not sold in the black market or to friends of those in charge for nothing. One thing to arise from this is that the ICC CEO's , whoever is in charge basically need to not challenge the BCCI in any way. If they do i think the BCCI are shallow and petty minded enough to ensure you wont work in the game effectively. No board in the world is going to make the same mistake as CSA. Its laid down the marker. Sad.

:hysterical::hysterical::hysterical: ICC alone took 8,500 tickets for free just for the final in a stadium capacity of 33000.Yeah sure Morgan was very concerned about friends having tickets for free:haha: http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/187125-cricket-shocker-405-world-cup-final-tickets-went-unsold

[G_B_]

^ you do realise ICC takes bulk of those tickets because they have to distribute them to their sponsors right? Who in turn distribute them to their patrons as they choose. Its not as if ICC took those tickets and sold them on the black market. PS where does Morgan come into it? Morgan from the ECB or Morgan the Irish player?

[Crookbond]

yes but everything has a limit when it comes to own interests. Maybe rather than feeling threatened its time the BCCI watch what Lorgat does as chairman of the CSA. People wear different hats when in different roles. why does everything have to be pre emptive? Secondly where does this interest stop? Do you tell opponents that you will refuse to tour unless they make dustbowls? cause it exposes FTB's like Raina? Interest can go a long way on and off the field.

1 - Lorgat has done enough as ICC head to threaten BCCI's financial interests 2 - Off the field