Bloated Big Bash League raises concerns
As the Big Bash League comes to a close in today’s final when the Adelaide Strikers host the Hobart Hurricanes, there are growing concerns about plans to expand the season by another fortnight.
Fairfax Media has been told broadcasters, players and agents have expressed reservations about more matches being slated when the new broadcast rights agreement begins next summer.
This summer has seen the number of matches increase from 35 to 43, with ratings and attendances slipping. While ratings have still been healthy at about 1 million per night, those involved in the eight-team competition do not want it to reach a tipping point. Host broadcaster Channel Ten has seen an uplift in commercial ratings from 25 to 64-year-olds but the older age group has dipped.
The Melbourne Stars, with only two wins from 10 matches, were seen as drag on ratings and attendances, having been the glamour club throughout the tournament’s first six seasons – despite not claiming a title. That their finals hopes were extinguished early meant there were involved in several dead rubbers, and they attracted less than 20,000 supporters to their final home game last weekend against Hobart.
The Sydney Sixers, another big city team, also had a disappointing season, and have also been seen as a reason why ratings slipped this season. It’s understood the Sydney Thunder, Stars and Hurricanes have had attendances drop by more than 20 per cent.
BBL chiefs have raised the prospect of each team having a 12-game season, even a full 14 home-and-away matches, before semifinals and a final, which could mean powering into mid-February, a time when AFL Women’s has begun, school has resumed and networks are airing major prime-time shows in the ratings period.
League chief Kim McConnie has said scheduling decisions would be based on what fans want, with more assessment to be done.
Ten secured the last BBL broadcast rights deal for A$100 million over five years but this is expected to treble under the new deal, with discussions intensifying with Ten, Channel Nine and other interested parties. But those involved in this season’s campaign have issued a warning. ‘‘Don’t rain on what you have got,’’ one executive said.
More matches could open the door for the new rights deal to be split, particularly if pay television’s Fox Sports was to be awarded exclusive matches alongside a freeto-air broadcaster, but there is a feeling the ‘‘nightly flow’’ could become disjointed if that was to happen.
‘‘Is there really an appetite games?’’ one player source said.
Overseas-based coaches and players have raised concerns about having to remain in Australia for a longer period, for they often leave their families at home. They are also mindful about the BBL encroaching on other Twenty20 tournaments.
‘‘Players want to make as much money as they can, as quickly as they can. And coaches can bring players with them, as some are in the same tournaments around the world, so you have got to be careful about that,’’ one agent said.
One suggestion has been to have more double headers and even triple headers, thereby not having to expand the season greatly, but there is a concern that this hastens viewer fatigue. .
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