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BBL privatisation off the table after Queensland says no

IA

Ian Ransom

Published 1 month ago

Cricket Australia said on Thursday it is considering alternatives ⁠to its privatisation plan for the Big Bash League (BBL) after failing to achieve consensus with ‌state members.

[p]CA had set a mid-April deadline for the nation's ‌six member states to indicate their support ‌to sell 49% stakes in most BBL teams and ‌100% of one team each in Victoria and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/new-south-wales/x61ZlzKe/"]‌New South Wales[/a].[/p][p]New South Wales rejected CA's proposal while [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/queensland/UuE4XLin/"]Queensland[/a] deferred its decision, saying it needed more information.[/p][p]"[b]Given ‌CA does not currently have full ⁠alignment on the ‌proposed next step with our members, some alternative options ​are being considered that require additional analysis and consideration with States, and that work ​is underway[/b]," CA said in a statement.[/p][p]"[b]Australian cricket remains united on the need to grow and ⁠continue investment in ​all aspects of the game and CA thanks the state associations and players for their engagement and collaboration in this project.[/b]"[/p][p]The lack of consensus is ‌a major blow for CA Chairman Mike Baird and CEO Todd Greenberg, who spearheaded the privatisation push following a review by Boston Consulting Group last year.[/p][p]CA had hoped to raise up to A$600 million to future-proof the sport, boost its finances and improve Australia's competitiveness in T20 cricket.[/p][p]CA reported a net deficit of A$11.3 million ‌for the 2024-25 financial year despite a hike ​in revenue from hosting the lucrative Border-Gavaskar ‌series against powerhouse India.[/p][p]Despite the potential for a major capital boost, influential cricket figures in Australia voiced opposition to opening the league to private money, saying it could mean a ⁠damaging loss of control ⁠for the game's ‌local custodians.[/p]

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