Positive cricket result, but negative finances for CA in Perth, with 2-day Test set to lose the board millions in terms of income.
A positive cricket result at Perth cannot mask the financial loss in Perth.
Cricket Australia is facing a multi-million dollar outflow from the quick two-day Ashes opener, just weeks after predicting a record year ahead.
The opening game of the thrilling series in Perth ended late on day two due to a combination of Travis Head’s all-time Ashes knock and Bazball’s careless, risky batting style.
For days three and four, CA is expected to lose almost AU$3 million in ticket sales.
A record 101,514 people attended the Test—51,531 on Friday and 49,983 on Friday—beating the previous record of 96,463 in Perth, where India won in four days. Day three was nearly sold out as well.
“I feel sorry for the people who can’t come tomorrow,” Head said following his innings. I believe the house was packed once more.
Todd Green, the CEO of CA, half-joked that he was concerned that the Test would not reach day three when he spoke prior to play on Saturday, before Australia’s first innings had even concluded.
“It’s difficult for a number of different groups,” Greenberg told SEN when discussing the financial impact of a match finishing early. “Our broadcasters first of all. Certainly us, on ticket sales and our partners and sponsors. There’s a big economic impact on this series.”
The loss took in a summer that included a five-Test tour from goliath India.
“In a normal scheduling, you’d have the white-ball cricket as part of that [Test] tour, but that’s being played in this financial year,” CA chair Mike Baird said after the meeting in October. If they were in the same financial year, you would have seen a different position.
“We’re in a position where it’s a significant uplift, an over $20 million improvement. Hang on to your hats because next year we are going to have a record year in cricket. You’re going to see the most attendance, the most viewership, the most sponsorship.”