West Indies cricket has recently been in the news for the unwanted reason of getting all out for just 27 runs in a Test innings against Australia, followed by 3 consecutive T20I defeats.
However, the issue with cricket in the Caribbean is not limited to on-field performances but also at the institutional level.
Over the past 15 years, we have seen WI players opting out of playing international cricket for better-paying opportunities in T20 leagues around the world — the recent big name being Nicholas Pooran, who retired from international cricket at just 29.
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Yet, franchise cricket is not without its flawa either, with delayed payments as a crucial issue flagged by former West Indies captain Carlos Brathwaite.
See what Brathwaite had to say about franchises owing players money for months, and sometimes years.
Are the West Indies players facing a financial crisis?
The 2016 T20 World Cup hero for the West Indies Carlos Brathwaite is among the bigger names to come from the Caribbean in recent years.
In his recent raw and honest LinkedIn blog, the former player raised a concern regarding the payment delays denting the reputation of cricket.
The Barbados player and commentator, who also plays in leagues around the world, has opened up about two teams delaying his payment for 6-8 months
The all-rounder shockingly revealed that another team still owes him money from his stint with them in 2024.
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In his blog, he also questions the implications of these delayed payments on the young dreamers, who bet on these opportunities to change their lives to provide for their families.
"In 2024, I personally had three franchise contracts where payments were delayed 6 to 8 months. As I write this in July 2025, I’m still owed money from one of them."
"And if this is happening to me, imagine what it's like for a young local player making his debut. The harsh reality?" he asked
"We’re quick to showcase our growth as a sport through shiny new leagues, but late payments leave a stain, not just on tournaments but on cricket itself. The integrity of our game doesn’t stop at match-fixing; it extends to how we treat people behind the scenes," Brathwaite emphasized.
Brathwaite has called on the ICC, World Cricketers' Association and the local governing bodies to take responsibility and ensure that players and staff are paid on time.
The former WI cricketer believes that these issues are denting cricket's reputation among the off-field professionals who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly.
Recently, Brathwaite appeared in the MAX60 Caribbean League for the Boca Raton Trailblazers.
The player had also featured for Lahore Qalandars among the notable teams in the mentioned period in 2024.