Cost of empty stadiums: $1.4m for NZ Cricket . . .
Moving international cricket behind closed doors will cost New Zealand Cricket (NZC) at least $1.4 million.
The Black Caps and White Ferns were due to play at Eden Park, Bay Oval and Sky Stadium this week, but all games have been moved to Wellington because of a change in Covid-19 levels.
New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White said in a statement more than 56,000 fans will be missing from the stands due the venues being in alert level 2, under which crowds are not permitted. That equates to more than $1.4 million in gate takings, more than half of the budgeted takings for the season. But it makes up only about 5 per cent of the ‘‘total annual revenue’’ for NZC, White said.
It was ‘‘too early’’ to predict what the latest lockdown might cost the organisation long term, he said.
However, its impact would not have a knock-on impact to community cricket, he said. ‘‘We’ve been very clear about the priority of the community [amateur] game. New Zealand Cricket remains committed to delivering the same level of funding for the next year as it has over the current year.’’ Male international players may face a financial hit as they are on a ‘‘revenue share’’ model contract, Cricket Players Association chief executive Heath Mills said.
Female players are on a fixed payment contract and earnings won’t be affected by diminished gate takings.
The international game is the ‘‘financial lifeline’’ of the sport, White said in November.
NZC also footed the bill to bring international touring sides to the country, totalling more than $2 million.
White confirmed NZC paid $7000 per person for their managed isolation quarantine (MIQ) stay, and ‘‘on average ... an additional $1500 per head’’ for domestic charter flights from Auckland to Christchurch; preparation and delivery of the games and ‘‘provision of gym facilities’’.
NZC also received help from the government. It has claimed $562,368 in the government wage subsidy to date. White said it will ‘‘consider applying’’ for the latest wage subsidy if it does ‘‘meet the requirements’’.
It has also received $1.7 million from Sport New Zealand’s Covid19 response fund, but there’s been no financial assistance from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The organisation was forecasting a $3.5 million deficit this year, and with the latest Covid-19 alert levels, that’s expected to rise.
‘‘We’ll take a hit . . . but we’ll be OK,’’ he said.