Attendees at the press conference to launch the January/February 2008 competition, also heard about the obstacles being faced to stage a Stanford Super Stars Tournament involving four international teams. In attendance were government ministers of sports or their representatives, including Hon. Ricky Skerritt from St Kitts/Nevis, as well as WICB Acting Chief Cricket Operations Officer Tony Howard.

Last year, the much anticipated clash between the Super Stars and a South African team was stymied by the West Indies Cricket Board's refusal to amend its Pakistan tour schedule. In a much publicized 'he-said/she-said' ding dong battle, it appeared that the WICB had reneged on an agreement in writing for the match to be held on November 10 and 11. The WICB in turn blamed the Pakistan Cricket Board for the scheduling conflict.

At the 2005 launch of the inaugural tournament, Sir Allen had explained his vision which he said was to support and be part of a rebirth and regeneration of West Indies cricket. "If we don't act now, we're going to lose it," said an emphatic Stanford in October 2005.

Sir Allen had also said at the time that the continuation of the tournament into a second year was going to be up to the public. "The Legends Board will make those decisions if the region embraces it," he had said. The inaugural version was a "huge success" according to Stanford, and so at a preliminary meeting in January of this year, plans were discussed for the future.

According to Stanford, it is his love of cricket and of the region that has driven him to "put his money where his mouth it. I simply had the idea and put the money up, the easy part." He said his board members were the ones directing the programme and doing the difficult part.

He also said that West Indies cricket is stuck in a time warp. "We are stuck in the 1950's and 60's. Cricket in the rest of the world is in the 21st century. We have got to get, in a hurry, to the 21st century," said Sir Allen.

He further added that it was his goal and the Board's goal "to see us not only become the best at what we do in terms of playing cricket in the world, but have the best and most exciting professional team sports programme in the world." Calling his initiative "a life changing experience for cricket in our part of the world," the billionaire Texan said of his plan "we don't have all the answers. All I know is I have no ulterior motive; I have no other game plan; I have no other sneaky thing going on. What you see is what you get."

Joel Garner, one of the Legends who sits on the Stanford 20/20 Board backed up Sir Allen. "Everything that we are trying to do and all the things that we have done is only done in the interest of West Indies cricket. I want the media to ask the people who are spreading the rumours the hard questions, and stop trying to find all sorts of angles for what is being said," he said.

Asked about the relationship between the WICB and his organization, Stanford said "I would hope that there is a better understanding of what Stanford 20/20 programme is all about, therefore I would hope that this confusion and the fact that it was purely a myth that Allen Stanford was out to take over cricket in the Caribbean a la Kerry Packer, was in fact a myth. Being that they [WICB] are now in a transition with new leadership, I would hope that we can work with them."

WICB President Ken Gordon's term end later this month. Julian Hunte, a former WICB Vice President is the sole nominee to take over from Gordon, with the Jamaica Cricket Association's Dave Cameron as his deputy. Cameron is currently head of the WICB's Marketing Committee.

Sir Allen disclosed the obstacles which threaten to again thwart the mega Super Stars tournament which would involve Sri Lanka, South Africa , India and Australia in June 2008. There are issues with the WICB, the ICC and ESPN he said.

Stanford has offered the WICB a US$2m per year guarantee in addition to proceeds from television revenue up to a capped amount. This would amount to US$59m over five years, with no risk and no investment required on the WICB's part. In return, he has asked for an agreement that will allow the 20/20 tournament to be played in January and February of each year – the drier months – without any conflict of scheduling. Stanford also wants agreement for the international Super Stars match to be played each June.

He said that the regional players would be made available to the WICB for any Test matches, ODIs or international 20/20 matches. "With that on the table, I would think that it is one of those win win win win win deals….everybody comes out on top, so I hope the answer is 'yes' that we will be working with them [WICB] but we are cautious in the fact that there are still issues to be resolved," Sir Allen said.

The issue with the ICC is a question of how the US$20m prize money will be split. Stanford has proposed that US$5m go to the Board of the winning international team, if it is not his Super Stars team that comes away as winners. The other US$15m would be split amongst the players and coaches. "We are going to stick to our guns on that," the business tycoon stated.

ESPN's issue is with regards to the number of teams that would be involved in the June tournament. Stanford says that ESPN will not allow, without permission, more than three teams at a time to play in a tournament because that will dilute their franchise. However for the tournament format to work, four other teams are required. The proposal is for two semi-finals and then a play off between those finalists to earn the right to meet the Super Stars in the grand finale. "What we are talking to ESPN about is them coming to Antigua and being the sole party to broadcast the international games world wide," he explained.

Perhaps targeting all three entities, Stanford said "you want to deal with people who deal with you in a fair and honourable way that are not greedy, that know what a fair profit is, and what a fair return to them for their part of the equation is, and I think this is somewhat altruistic and naïve of me, but I am very successful and I have a company that my grandfather started 75 years ago, and it was built on trusting people."

The Stanford 20/20 Board is hoping for a speedy resolution to the issues being faced. "Let the battle begin" are words from the tournament's theme song. It is hoped that they will not play out in reality in the Boardroom.