New South Wales (NSW) criticised Cricket Australia’s (CA) decision to proceed with privatisation of the Big Bash League (BBL), warning that the move could threaten the game’s ability to invest and have long-term implications for Australian cricket, according to Cricinfo. NSW, which operates the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder, has been the strongest opponent of the privatisation push and has consistently maintained that it would not pursue the model for either of its clubs. The state has also questioned Cricket Australia’s financial projections and called for alternative ways to generate additional revenue for the game.
Cricket Australia on Tuesday approved a “self-determination” model that will allow individual states to decide whether to pursue private investment in their respective Big Bash clubs. 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,” a statement said, as quoted by Cricinfo. The redistribution of profits to external investors reduces our ability to invest in community cricket, creating long-term impacts at all levels,” the statement said.
The Melbourne Renegades are set to become the first club to be sold under the model. However, NSW criticised the decision to move forward without broader alignment across Australian cricket. “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. “We are proud to be part of an Australian cricket system that is the envy of the world. “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 statement concluded, as quoted by Cricinfo.
Yesterday’s announcement threatens this system.
NSW further highlighted that both the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder are “successful and healthy” clubs, with the profits they generate being reinvested in expanding participation in the sport. The players’ body said on Tuesday that despite Cricket Australia’s announcement, any privatisation process could not proceed without an agreement on a new player payment model.
