Speaking on Wisden’s The Scoop, Marsh explained the major sticking point between Cricket Australia and the Australian cricketers, even as the board is keen on putting the Big Bash League teams up for sale. As per a current deal between the two parties, the players receive 27.12 per cent of CA’s revenue.
However, the ACA is demanding that the players get a 27.5 per cent share of the amount CA will get after selling the teams to private investors as per the deal. However, CA has rejected the model, considering that the privatisation is different from the revenue the board makes.
“I think to understand that it's probably worth just sort of understanding what our current agreement with Cricket Australia looks like and from our position we believe the players are actually entitled to that 27.12 per cent of any proceeds from privatization,” Marsh said. “So I think it's important, if that's your starting point, what we've said all the way along is that we are prepared to forego that share of the proceeds but it needs to then be converted into a higher share of ongoing revenue. We think that's a win-win.”
Even as the talks are in progress, the deal is not finalised yet, and the ACA is also seeking arbitration in this regard. ACA is ready to give up the share CA will get from the BBL privatisation in favour of an equitable yearly pay in BBL. On the other hand, CA believes there is nothing to give up for the players in terms of privatisation share as it considers it completely different from the standard revenue.
With the matter stretching for quite a few months now, Marsh believes that CA has to strike a deal soon with the players for them to feature in the privatised BBL going forward: “Cricket Australia at the moment is not on that page, but if we need to press forward with a share of the proceeds, then we will do that. But I think that the better model is to give Cricket Australia the states that opportunity to spend that big amount of money up front and then for the players to be benefiting going forward.
“So, look, like every negotiation, there's always areas of compromise and we're certainly up for that. Our position really hasn't progressed because of this fundamental difference around whether the players should get a share of the proceeds or not,” Marsh added.
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