BBL privatisation in doubt after NSW says no, QLD delays decision

[p]But Cricket New South Wales Chief Executive Lee Germon said the state governing body ‌had sent a counter-proposal to CA and other member states which involved self-funding ‌mechanisms.[/p][p]"[b]Our position is unchanged from ... a few weeks ago,[/b]" the former [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/new-zealand/G6PWlrQB/"]New Zealand[/a] test captain told reporters in Sydney on Wednesday.[/p][p]"We still do not believe that the sale of the BBL clubs ‌is the right approach here.[/p][p]"[b]We are in fierce agreement ⁠with Cricket Australia that we need ‌to invest in the BBL, we need to grow the BBL, we need our best players ​playing in the BBL and in a window that allows that.[/b]"[/p][p]New South Wales hosts two BBL teams, Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder.[/p][embed guid="fad81db6-93ed-48e6-b07a-1de5ae85a81d" url="https://x.com/Hendoj4/status/2044365287773147356" social-type="twitter" /][p]Queensland Cricket, ​which hosts [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/brisbane-heat/Kf6aRVR4/"]Brisbane[/a] Heat, said on Wednesday it had made no final decision following a board meeting and would seek further information from CA.[/p][p]The other four member ⁠states - Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania ​and Western Australia - are seen as broadly supportive of private investment but the lack of consensus is a major blow for CA.[/p][p]"[b]We ... remain open to discussing any questions or concerns about this model,[/b]" CA boss Todd Greenberg said in a statement.[/p][p]"[b]This process ‌remains respectful and collaborative and with the best interests of Australian cricket the key consideration of all involved.[/b]"[/p][p]The privatisation push has been driven by CA Chairman Mike Baird and CEO Greenberg following a review by Boston Consulting Group last year.[/p][p]CA hopes to raise up to AU$600 million (US$427 million) from the sale to future-proof the sport, boost its finances and improve Australia's competitiveness in T20 cricket.[/p][embed guid="24f20c6e-c545-4f8c-bf3a-469b51b37720" url="https://x.com/7NewsAdelaide/status/2044348108642111948" social-type="twitter" /][p]CA reported a net deficit of AU$11.3 million for the 2024-25 financial year despite a jump in revenue from hosting the lucrative Border-Gavaskar series against powerhouse [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/mumbai-indians/2eZPzJH2/"]India[/a].[/p][p]Australia crashed out of the group ‌stage at the recent T20 World Cup won by India, triggering acrimony on ​the home front.[/p][p]Despite the potential for a major capital boost, influential cricket figures ‌in Australia remain wary of private money.[/p][p]Former test captain and talent development boss Greg Chappell said the BBL was a success and selling it off could mean a damaging loss of control for the game's local custodians.[/p][p]"[b]Australian cricket has long benefited from maintaining its autonomy,[/b]" he wrote in a column ⁠published in the Sydney Morning Herald.[/p][p]"[b]Surrendering even ⁠part of that independence could have ‌far-reaching consequences.[/b]"[/p]