Suns won’t pocket a cent: Evans

THE first international T20 cricket match at Metricon Stadium will not generate a cent of profit and Suns CEO Mark Evans has warned it could be a one-off unless stadium running costs are slashed.

Australia will play South Africa on November 17 in the first of what Cricket Australia hopes becomes regular International and Big Bash League matches on the Gold Coast.

Tourism and Infrastructure minister Kate Jones is also lobbying for the Gold Coast Suns to secure a BBL franchise.

The Suns’ goal is to host one International and three BBL matches each year and eventually secure their own franchise as a way to offset the millions the club loses each year managing Metricon Stadium.

The Suns chipped in about $300,000 of the $1 million spent on the drop-in pitch, practice areas and new broadcast infrastructure.

Evans said it was “impossible” under the existing deal with Stadiums Queensland to recoup that investment and also make a profit from November’s T20 International.

“There will be no return on a single game, it is really all about paving the way and being a flagship for future events,’’ he said.