The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to venture into the mobile gaming industry as part of its strategy to diversify revenue sources, anticipating a potential decline in future broadcasting deals.
While cricket video games have existed for decades, this marks the first time the ICC will develop and own such a product, hoping to capitalize on the rapidly growing mobile gaming market.
At the ICC’s board meetings in Harare, starting today, the digital team will present their plans to the Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC).
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The idea has been discussed in previous meetings, but the ICC is now seeking approval from its Full Members to invite developers to create its official mobile game.
Although cricket-themed games like EA Sports’ Cricket and Codemasters’ Brian Lara Cricket have been popular on consoles, mobile versions have seen limited success in recent years.
However, the ICC’s move could be a game-changer, similar to FIFA’s long-term partnership with EA Sports, which ended in 2023.
A significant hurdle for the ICC is negotiating the complex landscape of players’ name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights.
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The ICC has NIL rights for teams participating in its tournaments, but for bilateral series and domestic leagues, it must secure deals with individual boards and players’ associations, especially in countries like India and Pakistan, which lack player unions affiliated with the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA).
The mobile gaming market in India, valued at $3 billion in 2024, plays a central role in the ICC’s strategy.
However, securing rights for Indian players and IPL franchises is critical to the game’s success.
The ICC faces challenges in licensing agreements, with early discussions suggesting IPL franchises may not be willing to license their names for the game.