PCA Donates to COVID-19 Relief Aid
The Professional Cricketers Association released an updated statement of the coronavirus situation. It was noted in their press release that contracted players agreed to donate £500,000.00 towards ensuring that Cricket doesn’t enter a financial crisis. This follows after thousands are being lost daily from merchandise sales, limited television broadcasts and cancelled advertiser payments. This means that all associated PCA members will receive a 25% pay cut going forward.
The PCA President revealed last week that £61 Million would be donated in Aid Packages for healthcare professionals and families battling the novel coronavirus. This is the most significant donation made in the Professional Cricketers Association, which is being assisted with the European Cricket Board. Both entities previously confirmed that all British and European-based matches would be terminated until May 28th. It’s expected that this period will be prolonged until July 1st or later.
The European Cricket Board confirmed before their donation that administrative staff would be placed onto the British Reduced Pay Retention Scheme. This includes their executives and president, ensuring that significant funds can be reserved until matches are resumed. It should be noted that athletes worldwide have received cuts to their salaries throughout the last month. This includes players with the La Liga Football Series in Spain. It’s expected that pay cuts will follow for the Premier League as well.
The Meeting
Statements made through the Professional Cricketers Association mentioned that a meeting was held between all PCA Members through Zoom. Delegations were held for a short period before the collective group determined £500,000.00 to be the best valuation for league-wide insurance. This meeting also concluded the donations valuation, with sporting analysts being shocked to learn the PCA and ECB will make the most significant charitable donation of any British-based sports league.
It should be mentioned that these significant donations to charity and insurance policies for the league will cost a 25% reduction in salaries for administrative staff. Coaches and players will receive a 20% reduction in contracted payments. It’s suspected that £300 Million could be saved from these agreements, ensuring that European Cricket will remain active after COVID-19.
Secondary Postponement Possible for 2021
Healthcare Professionals in the scientific community have begun to urge members of the public about a potential relapse of COVID-19. Similar to the Spanish Flu, there’s a chance that this virus could return throughout the 2020-21 Winter Months. It’d prompt the European Cricket Board and Professional Cricket’s Association to postpone their seasons for another prolonged period. This is purely speculation on behalf of sporting analysts receiving medical data from government-employed healthcare professionals.