Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Cricket NSW has launched a scathing review of Cricket Australia’s privatisation plans, claiming it risks leaving the game “strategically and financially worse off”.
CA chief executive Todd Greenberg ploughed ahead with the decision to welcome private investors to the Big Bash League when he unveiled an opt-in model on Tuesday.
The model will allow each state to decide whether to sell its BBL team.
The decision plants a for-sale sign in front of Melbourne Renegades after Cricket Victoria dramatically offloaded the franchise earlier this year.
NSW and CA have been at odds throughout the lengthy board discussions and the former released a passionate statement on Wednesday.
“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 CNSW spokesperson said.
“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.
“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.”
Greenberg fronted the media in Sydney on Tuesday alongside leading players Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Ellyse Perry and Sophie Molineux.
Cricket Australia on Tuesday said it was “taking a deliberate step to strengthen and secure the long-term future of the game”.
But Cricket NSW believes the decision threatens to derail a cricket system that is the envy of everyone in the world.
“We see our role at Cricket NSW, alongside Cricket Australia and all states, as custodians of our game. Our purpose is to inspire everyone to play and love cricket,” the spokesperson said.
“This starts with growing participation in our sport, ultimately producing great players for our W/BBL clubs, NSW and Australia.
“The profits from our successful and healthy Big Bash clubs – the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder – are reinvested into growing participation in cricket.
“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.”
Cricket NSW reiterated that the conditions of sale had not been unanimously agreed to by the states.
“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.
“Additionally, the four preconditions for a sale process, unanimously agreed by all state chairs in June, have not been met.
“Cricket NSW will continue working with Cricket Australia on behalf of our members, participants, volunteers, supporters and all cricket lovers to ensure our game continues to thrive in our state and nationally, underpinned by a world-leading system.”
Cricket Australia has been contacted for comment.
