Major state fears cricket will be worse off with private investment

The New South Wales Cricket body is upset with Cricket Australia's announcement to seek private investment in the Big Bash. The state body believes private investment jeopardizes the ability to invest in cricket at the grassroots level. Cricket NSW is worried that the introduction of private investment into Australia's franchise T20 leagues, starting with the sale of the Melbourne Renegades, will leave cricket in Australia strategically and financially worse off.

The decision to introduce private investment into the Big Bash leagues could threaten the sports future, according to Cricket NSW. The announcement followed months of speculation about whether private investment was the right move for Cricket Australia and the game in Australia. Cricket NSW argued that the decision was made without alignment across Australian cricket.

The state body feared that the redistribution of profits to external investors would reduce its ability to invest in community cricket, ultimately impacting all levels of the sport. Cricket NSW owns the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder franchises and is concerned that private investment would diminish their ability to grow participation in cricket.

Cricket Australia's chair, Mike Baird, claimed that private investment would result in greater investment in the sport at all levels, accelerate growth, and secure the long-term future of the game.