'A point of frustration': Seven boss hits out at Cricket Australia
Seven West Media chief James Warburton has launched an extraordinary attack on Cricket Australia for dithering over the summer schedule, declaring the network could instead send cameras to "telecast grade cricket for free".
Warburton had nothing but praise for the AFL and its chief executive Gillon McLachlan during Monday's financial call with investors and the media, but his frustration with Cricket Australia was clear.
Waiting game: Cricket Australia has not yet firmed up its summer schedule.Credit:Getty Images
CA has released the fixtures for the Women's Big Bash League, due to start on October 17, and the Big Bash League, slated to start on December 3, but these dates have yet to be rubber-stamped because of a likely need for hubs because of COVID-19.
There is also still confusion over whether the one-off Test against Afghanistan in November will go ahead, while dates and venues for the blockbuster Test and white-ball series against India, while released in May, remain fluid, including whether Melbourne will retain the jewel in the crown – the Boxing Day Test.
Seven pays about $82 million annually in cash and contra over three instalments per year as part of its $1.18 billion agreement with Foxtel.
However, when asked by The Age and Sydney Morning Herald whether the network would pay its full amount, or seek to renegotiate, as it had done with the AFL, Warburton replied: "It's been frustrating with Cricket Australia, that's for sure. Ultimately, when you look at the season, like the AFL and to an extent the NRL, they need to look at what is possible to deliver, stop talking about international borders being closed, or borders being closed, and start to look at what really is the season we are going to deliver," he said.
Seven West Media chief executive James Warburton.Credit:James Alcock
"Like we have done with the AFL, our obligation then is to really deliver something for the fans and the players and the put our best foot forward for all of our commercial partners as well.
"But, at the moment, you pick up the paper every day and you read four or five different things. You have got the Australian T20 and one-day captain saying one thing, you have got the coach saying another, you have got BBL franchises talking about no international players – or [having more] grade cricketers. We could send the cameras down for free to telecast grade cricket.
"We have paid a huge price for the rights and we need to understand very quickly what the season is. It's been a point of frustration with Cricket Australia, that's for sure."
CA has been contacted for comment.
As reported by The Age and Sydney Morning Herald in March, Seven had sought to offload the BBL to former broadcaster Network Ten. Seven and Foxtel's six-year deal does not expire until 2024. BBL ratings and attendances have fallen in recent years, sparking a major review by former Ten sports boss David Barham.
Foxtel chief Patrick Delaney has been in deep discussions with CA recently, at a time the subscription- and streaming-based service is keen to begin promoting its summer offerings.
There is growing frustration within the cricket community as to a lack of roadmap for the summer ahead. A meeting of state association chief executives and a CA board meeting later this week is expected to provide at least some clarity.
If Seven and Foxtel were to seek a reduction in fees, it could mean the sport, having already slashed hundreds of jobs, would need to cut player payments, which have not been impacted to date. AFL player salaries have been slashed in 2020.
Seven's chief financial officer Jeff Howard had earlier said the network was "continuing to negotiate with various parties" over its sports rights deals.
Warburton confirmed the network had saved $87 million on its AFL rights through to the end of 2022 as a result of COVID-19. The contract was extended to the end of 2024.