This years Indian Premier League (IPL) has gained a lot of popularity and has become a lucrative option for many cricketers, especially female cricketers from Australia.
For the first time female Australian cricketers have been recruited by IPL teams, and they are earning a substantial amount of money.
This is a positive development for female cricketers who have been struggling to make a living from cricket alone. However, there is a growing concern that the money they are earning is coming from companies that they have publicly opposed in the past.
One such company is Dream11, an online fantasy sports platform that is the title sponsor of the IPL. Dream11 has been accused of promoting online gambling, which is illegal in many countries, including India.
Several Australian cricketers, including Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy, have been vocal about their opposition to gambling and its harmful effects on society. They have also campaigned for better awareness about the dangers of gambling and have advocated for stricter regulations.
However, by participating in the IPL and accepting money from Dream11, these cricketers are inadvertently promoting the very thing they have been speaking out against. This has led to accusations of hypocrisy and has raised questions about whether the cricketers are willing to compromise their principles for financial gain.
It is important to note that the issue is not limited to female cricketers from Australia. Many male cricketers, including those from India, have also faced similar criticism for endorsing products that go against their principles.
For example, Indian cricketer Virat Kohli, who is known for his commitment to fitness and healthy living, has faced criticism for endorsing junk food products.
The debate over whether cricketers should be held accountable for the companies they endorse is an ongoing one. Some argue that cricketers have a responsibility to ensure that the companies they endorse align with their values, while others believe that cricketers should be free to make their own choices.
In the case of female Australian cricketers in the IPL, it is important to recognize that they are still relatively new to the world of professional cricket, and they may not have the same level of financial security as their male counterparts.
Virat Kohli of India bats. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Therefore, it is understandable that they would want to take advantage of opportunities to earn money.
However, it is also important to acknowledge that there is a fine line between earning a living and compromising one’s principles. As role models for young fans, cricketers have a responsibility to be mindful of the messages they are sending by endorsing certain products or companies.
In conclusion, while it is certainly a positive development that female cricketers from Australia are earning a substantial amount of money in the IPL, it is also important to recognise the potential ethical implications of their participation.
As the debate over the responsibility of cricketers to endorse products that align with their values continues, it is important for cricketers to be mindful of the messages they are sending to their fans and the broader community.
JamesH
Roar Guru
You're not being realistic though. You are basically asking them to not ply their trade and to deny themselves millions of dollars in income through their careers, because of something they have no control over. It doesn't achieve anything. It's akin to people saying Pat Cummins shouldn't fly on a plane if he has an issue with fossil fuel companies. Or that an AFL player who opposes gambling sponsorship should quit the game or keep quiet because the AFL generates revenue though betting ads. It's the old nonsense argument that participating in an aspect of society you can't change means you can't then complain about it, and it's a disingenuous tool used to shut people up when they object to the status quo. There is a vast difference between benefiting from something indirectly, through decisions you have nothing to do with, and actively promoting it.
Mark Scarfe
Roar Guru
Then they shouldn't speak out about how bad company X is while at the same time taking money from the same company X. They are the ones who decide to speak out so they should stop moralising us and stand by their convictions.
JamesH
Roar Guru
If they started appearing in ads for Dream11 then you'd have an argument, but I don't think it's unreasonable to draw a line between directly and indirectly endorsing something. There's a point where you're just shooting yourself in the foot by refusing to take part. Individually, they have zero control over who sponsors the IPL generally, and it would take a collective refusal to play by a large group of players to actually put pressure on the organisers to change anything.
Mark Scarfe
Roar Guru
I agree but if they continue to be outraged but still want to be highly paid then that's where the hypocrisy comes into play.
Geo
Roar Rookie
I can’t blame the ladies for being hypocritical. If one stood on their principles in sport it would be very hard to get a game as most sponsors could be deemed undesirable by someone.