Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is nearing completion of a new accreditation process for player managers, aimed at formalizing their role and limiting their influence to commercial and professional matters concerning players. The initiative, led by the SLC Transformation Committee and overseen by CEO Ashley de Silva, seeks to prevent player managers from interfering in cricketing decisions, including team selection, an issue that has raised concerns in recent years.
The move comes amid the expansion of global T20 franchise leagues, which have increased the demand for professional player representation. Player managers play a crucial role in negotiating contracts, sponsorship deals, endorsements, and other commercial arrangements for cricketers. However, in Sri Lanka, allegations have surfaced regarding some managers’ involvement beyond these responsibilities, particularly in influence over selections in the Lanka Premier League.
Under the new framework, which was announced when SLC opened applications for accreditation in June, player managers must meet stringent eligibility criteria. These include a minimum of three years’ experience in relevant fields such as sports management, player representation, business, law, marketing, administration, or finance. Applicants are also required to hold appropriate academic or professional qualifications and demonstrate competencies in contract negotiation and commercial dealings on behalf of players.
The accreditation process subjects applicants to rigorous integrity and financial background checks, with ongoing oversight including periodic and annual reviews of accredited managers. SLC retains the authority to suspend, deny renewal, or revoke accreditation if managers fail to comply with regulations, codes of conduct, or safeguarding standards. The initial accreditation fee is set at US$500, with an annual renewal fee of US$250.
De Silva confirmed that the accreditation procedure is nearly finalized, with plans to sign Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) shortly. While the SLC has received a high volume of applications, it intends initially to appoint managers already active in the industry who meet the established guidelines. The board has emphasized that accreditation itself will not confer any automatic rights to player representation. Players retain complete freedom to choose, change, or dismiss their managers, and successful client acquisition will depend on individual managers’ skill, reputation, and service quality.
Player managers have been part of Sri Lankan cricket since the early 2000s, paralleling the sport’s growing commercialisation. The introduction of a formal regulatory structure marks a significant step toward professionalizing the role and addressing long-standing concerns about unregulated influence within the sport’s governance and operations.