BBL privatisation bid in trouble after ACA rejects current proposal

BBL Privatisation Bid in Trouble After ACA Rejects Current Proposal

The Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) has rejected Cricket Australia’s current BBL privatisation model, citing that it is not aligned with the current direction of the process or the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with includes the payment structure.

ACA chief executive Paul Marsh sent an email to Australian players on Sunday evening, outlining the ACA’s current position following ACA board and player delegates meetings last week and Marsh’s meetings with CA and state chief executives.

Australian cricket is not currently united on the right path to privatisation, according to Marsh. The recent upheaval around Cricket Victoria’s proposed sale of the [Melbourne] Renegades and merger with the [Melbourne] Stars reinforces the ACA’s view that the game is not yet aligned on an approach that will deliver the appropriate value in the privatisation process.

ACA’s Concerns with the Current Proposal

The ACA continues to believe that privatisation can work, however, CA’s current MOU proposal does not improve on the existing player revenue share arrangement, does not provide for salary increases for all player cohorts, and fails to address the broader priorities players presented to CA.

Until CA’s offer improves, the ACA cannot consider accepting what is in front of them. The ACA does not believe the current proposal will deliver the best outcome for the game or players.

Next Steps for the ACA

With privatisation unable to proceed without ACA agreement, the ACA’s plan is to continue working with CA and the States to address the above issues so they can work towards a deal that is good for both players and the game.

The ACA is also continuing discussions with CA about potential changes to the W/BBL payment structures for the coming season. The best Australian BBL players have been very unhappy about the fact that overseas players have been earning more than AU$100-200,000 more than they have per season under the current structure.

Player Pay at the Heart of the Debate

Player pay has been at the heart of the privatisation debate with CA’s chief executive Todd Greenberg stating that growing player salaries to compete on a global scale is a key reason as to why CA is pursuing the new structure.

The ACA will also meet with Stars and Renegades players this week to discuss issues that arose from Cricket Victoria’s proposal.