New Delhi, Sep 9 (IANS) Cricket NSW has strongly opposed Cricket Australia’s decision to proceed with private investment in the Big Bash Leagues, warning that the move could weaken the game’s financial capacity and have long-term consequences for grassroots cricket.
CA’s board on Tuesday approved a “self-determination” model under which individual states will decide whether to retain full ownership of their Big Bash clubs or bring in private investors. NSW, which operates the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder, has consistently rejected privatisation and questioned the financial assumptions behind the proposal.
“Cricket NSW is disappointed by Cricket Australia’s decision to proceed with introducing private investment into the Big Bash Leagues without alignment across Australian cricket. This decision risks leaving cricket in NSW and Australia strategically and financially worse off, with direct consequences for our ability to invest in grassroots cricket,” it said in a statement.
“We are proud to be part of an Australian cricket system that is the envy of the world. Yesterday’s announcement threatens this system. The redistribution of profits to external investors reduces our ability to invest in community cricket, creating long-term impacts at all levels.”
NSW also criticised the process followed by CA, saying concerns raised by the state and an alternative proposal to strengthen the Big Bash had not been adequately addressed.
“The Cricket NSW Board is also disappointed by the process leading to this decision. We have raised concerns directly with Cricket Australia, proposed an alternative pathway to strengthen the Big Bash, and highlighted significant risks within the proposal, informed by high-quality external advice,” it said.
NSW further maintained that four conditions agreed by the state chairs in June for any sale process had not been fulfilled. Additionally, the four pre-conditions for a sale process, unanimously agreed by all state chairs in June, have not been met,” it added.
CA chief executive Todd Greenberg defended the decision, arguing that private investment could provide a stronger financial base for the sport.
“As I said at yesterday’s announcement, I am very confident private investment in the Big Bash Leagues will provide enormous long-term benefits for all levels of Australian Cricket.
“CA shares CNSW’s pride in the Australian cricket system and the brilliant players and thousands of participants and fans it continues to produce. We believe that investing a significant proportion of the proceeds from the sale of Big Bash club licences in a future fund will provide the best and most reliable source of funding for grassroots cricket, elite pathways and high performance systems across the game for generations to come.”
While Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia support the broad direction, Queensland remains cautious. Queensland Cricket said it currently intends to retain full ownership of the Brisbane Heat while remaining open to investment at a later stage.
NSW, meanwhile, stressed that the Sixers and Thunder remain “successful and healthy” clubs, with their profits reinvested into participation and cricket development.
–IANS
vi/bc
