Cricket Australia’s plan to privatise the Big Bash League has suffered another heavy setback, with Queensland Cricket reportedly joining New South Wales in rejecting the $600 million plan.
Queensland Cricket, who controls the Brisbane Heat, has informed CA that the state is not in favour of continuing the process, joining a revolt against plans to sell stakes in BBL clubs, as first reported by Cricket Et Al.
The decision leaves only five of competition’s eight franchises available for sale; Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania previously voted to seek valuations on their teams.
Meanwhile, Queensland Cricket is concerned private owners would not be as invested in the grassroots game, News Corp reported.
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Steve Smith of the Sixers. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Earlier this month, Cricket NSW chief executive Lee Germon reiterated that the state was firmly against the current privatisation model.
“Our position is that we still do not believe that the sale of the BBL clubs is the right approach here,” Germon told reporters in Sydney. “What I would like to reiterate is that we are in fierce agreement with Cricket Australia that we need to invest in the BBL, that we need to grow the BBL, we need to have our best players play in the BBL and in a window that allows that.
“We believe there’s another way of doing that through some self-funding mechanisms and over the last three to four weeks, we’ve been able to work on that alternative strategy. We shared that with Cricket Australia and the other states yesterday, so we would hope that that now forms a discussion in terms of an alternative strategy.”
CA boss Todd Greenberg is set to speak to media on Thursday.