ROBERT Craddock has expressed serious concerns about how Cricket Australia will improve its financial position following the rejection of the proposal to privatise the Big Bash League.<\/p>\n
After floating the concept of selling stakes in the eight franchises competing in the domestic T20 competition last July, Cricket NSW and Queensland rejected the governing body\u2019s plans, while South Australia expressed some openness to the concept but not for its franchise.<\/p>\n
Following that rejection, it has been reported that many of the competition\u2019s superstars have been disappointed by this development and have threatened to play in rival competitions during the same time in the BBL due to a lack of pay.<\/p>\n
With those two state cricket associations deciding to block the move, Craddock explained the reasons behind their decision, noting it\u2019s unlikely for the concept to be approved.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s not dead, but it’s barely got a pulse now,\u201d Craddock told SEN\u2019s Whateley.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey’ll continue to try and get it up (but) what worries me (is) the three states that didn’t like it had different reasons.<\/p>\n
\u201cNew South Wales just felt it was fundamentally flawed.<\/p>\n
\u201cQueensland have got a lot of businessmen on their board, and they felt that the offer wasn’t good enough.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey were worried about where the finances were going for it, and they were also worried that, you know, would the Big Bash be a better game with increased salaries?<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd South Australia supported it, but didn’t want to be the first team to do it. So, there are three states with three different issues.\u201d<\/p>\n
CA sold the move to privatise the BBL to help improve the game\u2019s finances, with their last published annual report showing a loss of $11.3 million.<\/p>\n
And with that avenue closed, Craddock is unsure how Cricket Australia can improve its position.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s got serious roadblocks ahead of it,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd to be honest with you, I am worried about it because Australian cricket last year ran at a net loss of negative $11 million.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s got a television rights deal which is not spectacular (and) the big cash cows of India and England are gone for a few years.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, where do they get the money?\u201d<\/p>\n
NICHOLAS QUINLAN\/SEN<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ROBERT Craddock has expressed serious concerns about how Cricket Australia will improve its financial position following the rejection of the proposal to privatise the Big Bash League. After floating the concept of selling stakes in the eight franchises competing in the domestic T20 competition last July, Cricket NSW and Queensland rejected the governing body\u2019s plans, […]<\/p>\n