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Cricket Tasmania think that Hobart's proposed new stadium is crucial to attracting major investors to the Hobart Hurricanes as discussions over a potential privatisation of the Big Bash League continue.

 

Australian cricket remains divided over proposals to allow private investors to take a stake in BBL franchises, with states arguing over whether the move is in the long-term best interests of the sport.

 

But Tasmania is not short of opportunities and officials believe the state's proposed $1.13 billion fixed-roof stadium at Macquarie Point makes the Hobart Hurricanes one of the most appealing prospects in the competition.

 

Cricket Tasmania chief executive Dominic Baker recently visited India, attending a meeting with potential investors alongside a delegation. The meetings were organized by the Raine Group who oversaw the sale of franchises in England's The Hundred.

 

Baker reports that talks of a future stadium in Hobart were a key issue raised by investors.

 

Baker said:

 

"The chance to be involved in the first roofed cricket stadium in the world that potentially has all three formats played in it at an international level is something I think will be very attractive to some of our Indian friends."

 

If approved, it is anticipated that the stadium would house the Hobart Hurricanes from 2031 and if proven through testing, it would be the world's first fixed-roof cricket venue able to hold any format match across Test, ODI and T20 stages in all weather.

 

Stadium Could Add Extra Value to Hurricanes Investment

 

Beyond a sporting attraction, officials say a future investment package could also include stakes tied into the larger stadium precinct developments which are proposed for the arena, including retail outlets and hotels.

 

A similar approach has been seen in England with Indian infrastructure group GMR acquiring a 49 per cent stake in The Hundred's Southern Brave along with Hampshire County Cricket Club and their assets.

 

Baker said:

 

"We would like to think we can bring a partner into Tasmania that is not only involved in our cricket team but is also investing in the community. So, with what will happen around the stadium, and the opportunities that will happen around that — hotel, retail, all the stuff that goes with a new billion-dollar stadium being built — that's exciting to people."

 

He added:

 

"I think they think there's the opportunity to get into that environment here through a pro sports team."

 

Cricket Tasmania are confident that they can find a 49% investor in the Hurricanes for anywhere between $60m and $100m.

 

For Tasmania, a key factor is ownership, with the Hurricanes licence currently owned by Cricket Australia, it would be a 51% majority stake owned in state hands under a proposed sale structure.

 

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Team Identity Remains a Key Issue

 

Although the door is open to outside investment in Tasmania, keeping the identity of the team is of utmost importance.

 

Baker agreed that the team's branding would be part of future conversations especially if the interested investor owned clubs in other leagues.

 

He said:

 

"We've seen other instances in The Hundred where IPL teams have transferred their brands across to teams they've bought into. We'll have to consider that. But there's some non-negotiables for us around our identity as Tasmanians and making sure that is absolutely protected."

 

The topic of team identity has only heightened with Victoria Cricket recently announcing its plans to potentially sell off one of their BBL clubs whilst renaming the other, so it may become a Victorian branded club with no specific allegiance to a region in Victoria.

 

Cricket Victoria's announcement came as a shock to many within cricket due to talks still ongoing, with the deal to sell a club yet to receive approval.

 

Cricket Australia Pushes for Change

 

The Cricket Australia CEO, Todd Greenberg, has stood firm against the move for private ownership arguing that the game must adapt to the fast changing landscape of cricket globally.

 

Greenberg said:

 

"I've been saying all along that change in cricket is difficult, and change is hard for some people, and what we're trying to do here is bring a level of change and challenge to professional cricket. We're going to have to get comfortable in being uncomfortable in that change."

 

Cricket Australia estimates it can raise over $500 million in private investment to help secure the BBL against rising competition from league rivals such as the IPL and SA20.

 

Greenberg said.

 

"We're being challenged in this country on a very traditional model that's relied on bilateral cricket and bilateral revenues for a long period of time."

 

He added:

 

"Ultimately, what are we trying to achieve here? We're trying to make sure a couple of key metrics are delivered. One is, we retain our key Australian players playing for their country, ensuring we keep them centrally contracted and secondly, which is equally important, is creating more funds to put into the grassroots, participation and community cricket."

 

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States Remain Split on BBL Privatisation

 

Not all states are in support of this proposal.

 

Cricket New South Wales and Queensland have opposed earlier plans to push through with privatisation. They suggest selling stake of their teams would only offer a short term cash infusion and a larger financial reform needs to be explored prior.

 

There also remain questions on how the game will be funded in future once the revenue from a possible sale is exhausted.

 

South Australia have voiced support of an "opt-in" model which allows individual states to make a call whether they will sale their respective teams stakes.

 

Western Australia is willing to negotiate further as they look as Perth Scorchers to be one of the most attractive franchises to potential investors.

 

Cricket writer/commentator Bharat Sundaresan is of the opinion that privatization would make BBL remain competitive.

 

He said:

 

"If the BBL doesn't catch up with those leagues, it will fall behind, and it has fallen down that pecking order quite dramatically in the last four or five years."

 

He added:

 

"You're getting hardy, talented players coming to the BBL but with no real name value these days, so I think that needs to be plugged, because that's the only way you'll make your product more attractive."

 

However, Sundaresan has also shared his concern over a proposal that may split loyalties between locally owned and foreign owned teams.

 

Amidst continued negotiations between Cricket Australia, states and the Australian Cricketers Association, Tasmania looks to make use of its new stadium to make the Hobart Hurricanes head the investor list if BBL privatization is given the go ahead.