Last Updated on 13 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
Cricket New South Wales (NSW) has slammed Cricket Australia (CA) for proceeding with its Big Bash League (BBL) privatisation plan.
On Tuesday, CA CEO Todd Greenberg and chair Mike Baird gave the green light for states to sell off their franchises. Prominent cricketers Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Sophie Molineux and Ellyse Perry were present at the media conference.
However, Cricket NSW, a high-profile opponent of CA’s plan, is disappointed with yesterday’s events given many details are yet to be agreed on.
“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,” a Cricket NSW spokesperson said.
Cricket NSW: CA’s BBL privatisation plan can reduce how much money goes back into grassroots cricket
Cricket NSW went as far to say the decision could leave the sport worse off. The statement then detailed how the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder, plus the BBL in general, allows for investment back into community 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,” the statement read.
“Cricket NSW strongly believes in the future growth of the WBBL and BBL. Both leagues and all clubs are powerful drivers of participation and fan interest in cricket.
“The BBL is Australia’s most-watched and second-highest attended sports league per game.
“Last summer’s record crowds and endless memorable moments, headlined by an unforgettable Sydney Smash at the SCG, showed the Big Bash has never been stronger.
“The WBBL continues to attract the world’s best players and inspire more girls and boys to play our game.”
The statement then revealed an 80 per cent growth in the five to 12-year-old age bracket since 2022. It also describes the system as one Australia should hold on to rather than sell off to external investors.
“The profits from our successful and healthy Big Bash clubs – the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder – are reinvested into growing participation in cricket,” the statement said.
“This focus on our purpose has led to 80 per cent growth in five to 12-year-olds over the last four years and one-third of contracted players across Australia coming from NSW.
“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.”
Fans around Australia are also concerned with the move. Common themes include the lack of alignment among key stakeholders plus what the future holds for Test cricket.
Greenberg and Baird were strong in their view that the summer of Test cricket will remain in its current form, but time will tell as to whether that remains the case in the coming years.
“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,” the spokesperson said.
