Braden Quartermaine goes head-to-head with BBL general manager Alistair Dobson on cricket’s burning issues

Braden Quartermaine goes head-to-head with BBL general manager Alistair Dobson on cricket’s burning issues
International cricket is under pressure like never before, as the growth of Twenty20 leagues around the world offers players a big-money alternative to representing their country. Braden Quartermaine sat down with Big Bash League general manager Alistair Dobson to discuss the shifting landscape ahead of one of the BBL’s most important summers. BQ: Are we living though a seismic shift comparable to the Packer revolution in the 1970s? AD: I think history will be the judge of that in time.
But it certainly feels like there’s some pretty significant change or shifts happening in cricket, which have probably been on the radar for a little while. But it seems to be moving pretty quickly at the moment. Jordan McArdle Braden Quartermaine The common thread appears to be growing private ownership in Twenty20 leagues, particularly the IPL clubs now branching out.
Has private ownership been ruled out in the BBL? It’s probably not for me to comment on broader commercial or governance-related questions like that. Other than it’s important that we’re always keeping an eye on the marketplace and what the options are to ensure cricket remains viable and healthy and strong. But also approach it in a way that is considered and reflective of the broader cricket ecosystem.
Cricket’s such a connected ecosystem in Australia, from grass roots right through to domestic cricket through to Big Bash and international. Trying to ensure you consider all those components in any of those big decisions is really important. Now there’s direct competitors to our BBL season with the UAE and South Africa competitions, if we can’t match them financially what does that mean for attracting players? Absolutely we have to be competitive and stay at the front of the queue for players when they’re considering their options.
Players have never had more options and opportunities than they do right now to earn a good living in cricket and the Big Bash has been front and centre of that for now 11 or 12 years. For us to maintain that competitive position is really important. At the same time, it’s not just about salaries.
It’s about the experience that players have. What you can offer in coming out to Australia and playing in the best stadiums, with the best crowds and the best cricket is still really important. When we talk to players they still tell us how much they love coming to Australia and playing in the BBL and how much fun they have.
So they’re all equally important components in that equation for players. Is length of the BBL a sticking point then, given they can earn more money for shorter tournaments elsewhere? It’s all part of the equation for players to contemplate. The length of the BBL season is one that we feel still provides the best value for Australian cricket.
Whether that’s the opportunity for fans around the country to get to a game, the opportunity to take matches into regional areas. It obviously also creates commercial opportunities in that it allows Australian cricket to invest in really important things for the future of the game. The structure of the season and the number of games and the commercial components around that are all part of the role of the BBL.
Have you got Dave Warner to Sydney Thunder? I can’t comment on specific player negotiations or contracts. We’ve been talking to all the Australian players. David is such an iconic Australian cricketer and I think an iconic BBL cricketer, given his previous history.
If he ends up playing in the BBL this summer it will be an enormous boost and opportunity for the competition. We hope to see him play. Would you be prepared to offer Chris Lynn a similar special, topped-up deal? I’m not going to comment on hypotheticals or specific players.
We’d love to see Chris Lynn play in the BBL. He’s an iconic player that delivered time and time again for the Brisbane Heat. Is Warner a separate category all to himself and what about other big-name Australian cricketers – does that create an awkward situation now? Ultimately, they’re still recruited by the clubs and contracted by the clubs to represent their teams.
Every player brings great value to the BBL. I think a player like David Warner brings next level interest and buzz around the competition. But we’re always speaking to all the players around how we can help them play in the BBL.
In terms of what’s in it for them and the role they can play, but also the impact they will have on the BBL and Australian cricket by playing in the competition. So it’s great value both ways. Are you encouraged by the public commentary from the players’ union, who have been saying the players might need to take a short-term hit for the longer-term view of growing the Big Bash? Yeah, the ACA have been incredible partners in the lead-up to this season.
Whether that’s support around the overseas player draft, their support in working with the Australian players and how they might be able to play in the BBL. They’re genuine partners that absolutely understand the value of the BBL in the broader Australian cricket marketplace and understand that the success of the BBL is an enormous part of the success of their players and their ability to be well-paid professional athletes. What’s the future for one-day internationals? My focus is purely on the BBL.
But I still think there’s incredible interest and value in white-ball international cricket with World Cups and bilateral series are still really important to global cricket. The BBL’s role is to continue to exist in and around those games as they’re scheduled and do so in a way that creates value. How important is this summer for the next TV deal? This summer’s important for a whole range of reasons, not least of which is bouncing back with big crowds and the big events and reminding people of what the BBL is and how exciting it is to go to.
I think with a new media rights deal around the corner, every year is important in terms of showcasing the value of the BBL and great nights of summer entertainment on TV or at the stadium. We are working really hard with both our broadcasters who are keen to see this BBL season be the biggest one we’ve had. If we fast forward to January, what do you think the commentary is going to be like around the BBL? I think the commentary is going to be around energy, excitement, big summer nights, and that people are going to remember and be reminded of why the BBL is such a success story in Australian sport.
With big-name players and future stars all playing really exciting cricket. And I think the commentary will be that the BBL is back and firing and really setting itself for a second decade of the competition. If the momentum we have right now is anything to go by, we are up for a pretty exciting season I reckon.
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