It is a decision that has raised eyebrows among CA stakeholders including from within the state associations. Some believe the game should be taking every dollar it can get as it slashes costs in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
In an uncertain landscape, though, a new naming-rights deal will provide a degree of long-time certainty, at least around the 20-overs-a-side carnival, which along with international matches is the priority this summer for CA and its interim chief executive Nick Hockley.
The Sydney Sixers celebrate winning last summer’s BBL.Credit:AAP
Industry experts estimate the Big Bash is worth between $70m and $80m a year in local broadcast rights fees as part of CA’s $1.18 billion six-year television contract with Foxtel and Seven West Media.
The challenge for CA, though, is to reinvigorate the competition and win back a declining audience, with television ratings and crowds down as the league struggles to regain the lustre of five years ago.
The length of the eight-team tournament and number of matches has been a consistent bugbear for critics. This summer it will take in 61 games, including finals, starting on December 3 and running more than two months until February 6.
Brisbane Heat captain Chris Lynn commented on Twitter last week, when the draw was released, that “the golden goose has been cooked again” before deleting the post. – Indian Restaurants Near Me Sydney
The absence of leading Australian Test players such as David Warner and Pat Cummins in recent times has also dented the BBL’s appeal. It’s unlikely the multi-format internationals will feature this season because of a Test series against India and then two one-day series in January.
CA is considering a range of innovations for the competition, including the introduction of an overseas player, a mid-innings bonus point, mid-game substitutions and free hits from wides, as well as examining the rain rules.
The use of hubs to stage the BBL is a possibility as organisers continue scenario-planning to combat the threat of COVID-19 to its calendar.
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Unconfirmed reports from India, meanwhile, suggest the Indian Premier League will be held in the United Arab Emirates from September 19 to November 8.
Australia’s IPL players – such as Warner, Cummins and Steve Smith – hope to gain clearance from CA to figure in the tournament on the way home from Australia’s limited-overs tour of England in September.
However, the reported date of the IPL final is less than two weeks before Australia are scheduled to play a historic Test against Afghanistan under lights in Perth.
CA is in talks with the government about securing permission for players to quarantine in a training hub when they return to Australia rather than in hotel rooms.
