Canberra's Wealthy Cricket Visionary Faces Exclusion from BBL Team Negotiations
Rival cricket power brokers are reportedly attempting to lock Cricket ACT's chairman out of crucial negotiations aimed at delivering a Big Bash franchise to Canberra. This development raises questions about the future of the capital's dream to host its own team in the popular Twenty20 competition.
The Corporate Titan Behind Canberra's Cricket Ambitions
Greg Boorer is the influential figure at the heart of this story, known as the man behind the $17 billion digital infrastructure company Canberra Data Centres. His journey to success was not without significant personal sacrifice. In the early years of his business, Boorer's family home was at risk, and he even landed in intensive care with a pulmonary embolism after working grueling 20-hour days at his desk.
Boorer has demonstrated his commitment to Canberra cricket through substantial financial contributions. He has poured millions into local cricket facilities and supported various charities. His company also sponsors the Canberra Raiders, showcasing his deep ties to the region's sporting landscape. For Boorer, Manuka Oval represents more than just a summer playground; it is the potential home for a Canberra-based BBL team.
Power Brokers Move to Block Canberra's Bid
The central problem lies in reports that Cricket Australia and Cricket NSW could effectively lock Boorer out of plans to privatise the Big Bash League. Governing bodies are expected to inform any prospective buyer that the Sydney Thunder cannot be relocated from western Sydney. This stance presents a significant obstacle to Canberra's aspirations.
Currently, the ACT government spends approximately $800,000 per season to bring two Big Bash games and international cricket matches to Manuka Oval. Canberra proved instrumental during the COVID-19 pandemic, hosting 13 games to support the competition when it was most needed. One game was even played on such short notice that it occurred behind closed doors, yet broadcasters still received valuable content.
Historical Tensions and Future Alternatives
If Boorer is indeed being treated with disdain, as reports suggest, and the ACT is viewed as an inferior partner not deserving of independent status, questions arise about whether the ACT government should reconsider its investment. While it might seem extreme given Canberra's history of being strung along by summer sporting codes for decades, some observers wonder if energy and funding should be redirected toward bids for A-League or NBL franchises instead.
Cricket Australia executives are prepared to sell 49 percent stakes in six BBL clubs, with two teams—the Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Renegades—potentially available for complete sale. However, Cricket NSW chairman John Knox, whose treatment of Boorer has reportedly dismayed some individuals, is apparently lobbying against the prospect of his ACT counterpart purchasing the Thunder and relocating the club to Canberra. This move could effectively dash the capital's hopes, especially with New Zealand emerging as a likely destination for any new expansion franchise.
Government Support and Broadcasting Realities
Boorer has already secured a commitment from the ACT government to invest $3 million into a team based at Manuka Oval. Together with Cricket ACT chief Olivia Thornton, he embarked on a traveling roadshow to every state association, aiming to demonstrate how a Canberra team could benefit the competition.
Nevertheless, broadcast dollars ultimately drive decisions. Games in New Zealand would allow Cricket Australia to capitalise on a new timeslot in upcoming broadcast rights deals. This reality is particularly disappointing for Canberra fans, who have shown strong support by filling Manuka Oval twice in six days to watch matches featuring the Sydney Thunder, Melbourne Stars, and Brisbane Heat.
Historical Grievances and Broader Investments
The situation frustrates Canberra cricket stalwarts even more, many of whom remain upset about how Cricket ACT was treated by NSW when the Comets were forced out of the domestic one-day competition 26 years ago. Later, Cricket NSW disrupted the ACT's pathway to the national second XI competition by essentially taking over the Comets program as part of an agreement between the two associations.
Cricket Australia bosses met with state associations in Adelaide in December, with the sale of Big Bash clubs to private investors high on the agenda. The governing body sees privatisation as a key opportunity in its biggest domestic revenue generator. The financial shortfall created by two-day Tests in Perth and Melbourne during the Ashes series could further tip the balance in favour of privatisation. Yet, paradoxically, Cricket Australia might still opt against bringing Boorer into the fold.
Boorer, who was instrumental in bringing a Cricket Australia board meeting to Canberra for the first time, now holds a stake in Southern Cross Cricket. This Canberra brand recently secured the prized signature of Glenn Maxwell in a significant coup. Boorer has also joined Maxwell in investing in the Belfast-based Irish Wolves, part of a newly-formed European Twenty20 Premier League.
Philanthropic Contributions and Community Impact
The Boorer family has supported numerous causes, including Menslink, Canberra PCYC, domestic violence crisis services, and Project Independence for people with intellectual disabilities. When bushfires ravaged the NSW coastline, Canberra Data Centres employees received $1,500 to $3,000 specifically to spend on the South Coast, helping boost struggling local towns.
The family also contributed to a nearly $6 million project to build an indoor cricket training facility at Radford College. Even Australian cricket star Ellyse Perry praised the facility, noting it stands "right alongside any of the facilities I've trained in." Unfortunately, if powerful interests up the highway have their way, no BBL teams may ever get to experience this world-class training environment.
