Cricket Australia at war with its own players over Real Cricket video game

Cricket Australia and its players could be about to go to war – over a video game. And the legal ramifications could be felt worldwide, with stars from across the globe involved.

Cricket Australia is at war with its own players.

Cricket Australia is facing a potential legal showdown with its players over an alleged breach of contractual rights that has implications across the cricket world.

A humble computer game has spot-fires burning around the globe as Australian and New Zealand cricketers fight with their boards over the alleged acquisition of their images by Indian company Nautilus Mobile for use in the app Real Cricket for a game called WorldCricket20.

It is understood the Australian Cricketers Association signed over the Names, Images and Likeness (NIL) rights to leading players including Australian Test captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Marsh, Josh Hazlewood, Matt Wade, Adam Zampa and Tim David.

There is no suggestion that the players themselves were involved in the deal or have engaged in any breach of contract.

An investigation by CODE Sports has found the two boards have decreed the players images cannot be obtained by a third party without written permission and the fires of dissent are blazing in all three countries.

Australian captain Pat Cummins (R) is featured in the video game. Picture: Getty

Australia’s battle, which seems headed towards mediation following little progress in official talks, is a novel one for new Cricket Australia boss Todd Greenberg who has had to grapple with both sides of the argument.

Greenberg this year took over his new role at Cricket Australia after formerly being boss of the Australian Cricketers Association.

He was at the ACA when this issue heated up late last year so he would have been fully aware of the dispute before he jumped the fence to become chief executive of Cricket Australia.

Things are particularly serious in New Zealand where New Zealand Cricket have taken legal action against their players as the app clashes with a digital game developed in India which their board had sold the NIL rights to.

The Dream XI game raised more than $20m for New Zealand Cricket, almost half of which went to the players.

A screenshot from the RealCricket game, which features the names and likeness of Australian players. Image: Supplied

There is an extra layer of drama because Heath Mills, boss of the New Zealand Players Association, is also head of the World Cricketers Association, which was behind the Real Cricket move.

Mills is also a recent director of investment company Winners Alliance which is backing Real Cricket so he has a foot in three camps.

Cricket Australia has declined to comment on the dispute but CODE Sports has learnt that CA has written to the World Cricketers Association and Winners Alliance who were claiming to be authorised to license NIL rights for Australian players and demanded they immediately stop using them.

The legal battle could have international ramifications, with players from rival nations also involved. Image: Supplied

The message does not appear to have got through because the Real Cricket App still includes a full Australian team of current players.

CA also wrote to the Australian Cricketers Association last year seeking information about the ACA’s role, if any, in the exercise.

CODE Sports does not accuse any player of breaking a contract.

The Australian Cricketers Association has been contacted for comment.

One leading player agent said the magnitude of the fight should not be underestimated.

“These rights are a big deal,’’ the agent told CODE Sports.

“The revenue they create can generate tens of millions of dollars. That is why this fight is so intense.’’

England players also feature in the Real Cricket game and while the English licensing rules are more flexible than here in Australia, the England Cricket Board has lobbied the International Cricket Council to develop their own digital game as soon as possible.

Originally published as Cricket Australia at war with its own players over Real Cricket video game