Fears that private investment in the Big Bash League (BBL) could result in the competition giving up control to Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise owners are unfounded, according to Todd Greenberg, chief executive of Cricket Australia.
Due to the Australian board’s inability to reach an agreement with state members, CA’s intention to privatize the BBL has stalled. Queensland postponed making a decision, while New South Wales rejected the proposal.
The expanding worldwide reach of IPL franchise owners, who currently own or manage teams in T20 leagues in England, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and the West Indies, raises certain worries.
“I think that’s overblown. India are such a huge part of cricket, but we’re not looking to sell the game to India. That’s it, full stop. We are looking to add value to our clubs and bring good partners in, and the decision on who those partners is at the behest of the states. So, it’s on them to choose their partners,” Greenberg told SEN Radio on Monday.
In order to increase Australia’s competitiveness in T20 cricket, strengthen its finances, and future-proof the sport, CA had wanted to collect up to $427 million. According to Greenberg, Australian cricket shouldn’t turn away Indian investors.
“What I find a little polarising is almost every business (and) every government agency I talk to are desperately keen to do business in India to create diplomacy, trade and opportunity. So, the flip of that is that we would look to do that in our country as well, in some parts of the BBL, not the entire part. I think we’ve got to have a very open mind,” he said.
According to Greenberg, CA was investigating whether the BBL might function with some teams operating under a more conventional format and others having private funding and ownership.
“I think the answer to that is yes. But we have to do the piece of work first,” he said.
