BBL Big Bash League Expansion Thread

[Greenstar5]

What makes you say that? What does Canberra have to offer?

New market. 430k in the City area. Ready make first class cricket ground. Not a 5 hour flight to the other major cities.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

I think the Gold Coast will be next cab off the rank for a team.
600k people and growing.
Located in the SEQ urban area of 3.5 million, creating a second team with a rivial up the M1.
Gold Coast full of holiday makers over the Christmas break.
The big bash style, handfull of games, cheap tickets, good night of entertainment, music. People arnt as attached to their BBL as their footy teams, I think people go to see a bit of exciting cricket fun night out.

I would think any games in the GC would fill the 25k at Carrara.

The short season and the fact that BBL games are as much "party" as "sport" makes it different to the numerous failed GC teams of the past. Gold Coast is an absolute definite if another team is entered.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

New market. 430k in the City area. Ready make first class cricket ground. Not a 5 hour flight to the other major cities.

Nobody in town over the Christmas period is an issue, as are the lack of true locals. That is far from as true as in the past, when Canberra had a 20% population turnover each years between 2 year ADF and 1 year APS postings, but still relevant. A lot of people who live in Canberra have little actual tie to the place (also an issue with GC, but GC can use the games to get visiting fans; Canberra's tourism reputation is somewhat less of pull factor. The BBL being relatively new does mean people don't have existing ties to teams from other areas though.

 

[Greenstar5]

Nobody in town over the Christmas period is an issue, as are the lack of true locals. That is far from as true as in the past, when Canberra had a 20% population turnover each years between 2 year ADF and 1 year APS postings, but still relevant. A lot of people who live in Canberra have little actual tie to the place (also an issue with GC, but GC can use the games to get visiting fans; Canberra's tourism reputation is somewhat less of pull factor. The BBL being relatively new does mean people don't have existing ties to teams from other areas though.

Yeh agreed. It all adds to the pro or cons of whether a team will ever come from there.

 

[Matchu]

Lots of movement regarding a Gold Coast BBL franchise in the last 24 hours...

Gold Coast to host Big Bash League match at Metricon Stadium in 2018/19 season

THE popular Big Bash League is all but certain to hit the Gold Coast within 18 months in a major coup for the region’s cricket fans.

It is understood at least one Brisbane Heat BBL match will be held at Metricon Stadium in the 2018/19 season, flowing on from momentum gained from the Commonwealth Games in April.

Talks are also advanced to deliver a significant upgrade to Bill Pippen Oval at Robina to give the Gold Coast two quality venues to host high-level matches.

Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland would not commit to a date but agreed it was foreseeable a game could be held within 18 months.

Gold Coasters have long dreamt of a franchise of their own in the Twenty20 league but Sutherland urged cautious optimism on that front.

Sutherland said Cricket Australia was committed to expanding the number of matches in the Big Bash season before adding franchises to the league.

But the Gold Coast remains firmly in the frame when expansion occurs.

Metricon Stadium is undergoing a pre-Commonwealth Games facelift, with an athletics track to be laid and further grandstands to be constructed before next April, ruling the venue out as a Big Bash ground this season.

But provisions exist for drop-in pitches at the venue and little work would have to be done to ensure the venue was ready for a Big Bash game in 2018/19.

Gold Coast likely to host Brisbane Heat Big Bash League match in 2018-19 at Metricon Stadium

THE Gold Coast is closer than ever to being home to Big Bash League cricket.

Council sources yesterday confirmed Metricon Stadium is all but certain to host a Brisbane Heat match within 18 months, capitalising on momentum from the Commonwealth Games in April.

Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland said there’s a very “foreseeable” chance Gold Coast fans could see the thriving Twenty20 competition up close as soon as the 2018-19 season.

“We have always had our sights on playing more cricket up here on the Gold Coast,” Sutherland said. “Metricon Stadium was built with cricket pitches in mind.

“My sense is that all of the parties are willing and there’s good, strong sentiment in favour of this happening.”

Sutherland added the Gold Coast can “start dreaming now” about the prospect of their very own BBL franchise. However, he reiterated the league’s focus is first and foremost on expanding through the number of matches per season before adding more teams.

The plan is to make Metricon Stadium a Tier One venue and upgrade Bill Pippen Oval – the home of the Gold Coast Dolphins – to a Tier Two arena to give the region two high-quality options to hold matches.

A source clarified Tier Two status would mean “any non-international match” can be played at the Robina field.

Council have already pledged $250,000 to upgrade Bill Pippen Oval but a further $1 million is needed to secure the necessary improvements.


While the Dolphins’ field and pitches are up to scratch, their clubhouse requires a major facelift including the addition of facilities such as drug-testing rooms.

 

[The_Reaper]

Nothing really. Geelong is also hosting a game as is Launceston.

 

[Matchu]

Nothing really. Geelong is also hosting a game as is Launceston.

It's the first time anyone from CA has indicated that they want to pursue playing T20 matches on the Gold Coast and he even went as far as to say Gold Coasters can "start dreaming now" about their own franchise. Sure, there are no guarantees but he sounds confident that the Gold Coast is a strong candidate for expansion.

 

[ioppolo]

Gold Coast, yuck.

 

[idel one]

Gold Coast, yuck.

On the contrary, would think a BBL game at Metricon on a night during the summer holidays in December and January would be outstanding. Families would love another option I reckon!

And just reading the Heat's media release just now, it seems as if the BBL is really only looking at playing some Heat games there when the number of games expands in the next season or so (full home and away must be on the cards). Still, if they get a drop-in wicket sorted out while the Comm Games rebuild is going on, they might be a chance of testing the water next season.

Wouldn't imagine a Gold Coast team there for many years, not with the Heat going so well. I saw a comparison for the Gabba tenants on Twitter

Heat – BBL|06 = 5 matches, average of 34 360 for a total of 171 801
Lions – 11 matches, average of 16 455 for a total of 181 007

Quite remarkable for the Heat, but you would imagine the Lions are going to lift that total though in seasons to come as their young guns start to flourish.

 

[Matchu]

Queensland Cricket today confirmed it was keen to explore the opportunities around taking Brisbane Heat matches to Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast.

Queensland Cricket Chief Executive Officer Max Walters today supported the stance of Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland yesterday that the Gold Coast could play a role in an expanded KFC Big Bash League.

“There’s been a deal of work happening behind the scenes with several interested parties like the Gold Coast Council and Metricon Stadium and its management, and Queensland Cricket is pleased with the progress being made,’’ he said.

“We should be clear though that we’re looking at the Gold Coast in terms of additional matches that can be played in Queensland rather than taking content away from the Gabba where the Heat have proven so popular, including a record-breaking series last year.”

“Growing the Big Bash, and making cricket the best sport for fans, is one of the game’s strategic priorities and the prospect of playing BBL games at Metricon Stadium during the peak summer holiday period in such a vibrant region is very exciting,’’ Walters said.

The Gabba hosted five sell-out Heat games in BBL|06, with the semi-final super over thriller against the Sydney Sixers setting a BBL crowd record for the Gabba of 35,116. In total, 171,801 fans came through the gates to watch the Heat, with a season average of 34,360.

Visiting the Gold Coast yesterday as part of the national Play Cricket roadshow that will see the CA CEO visit each State and Territory to play a form of cricket, Sutherland expressed enthusiasm at the prospect of delivering elite cricket content to the region.

“We have always had our sights on playing more cricket here on the Gold Coast,” Sutherland said.

“Metricon Stadium was built with cricket pitches in mind. With the Commonwealth Games happening, we are looking ahead to see what might be possible.”

“The Big Bash League is going through some expansion this season with more matches, so we’d like to think we can bring some BBL games to the Gold Coast, and maybe some international cricket, down the line.”

“With the BBL, we’ve always said we’ll expand the number of matches before we look at teams, so Heat matches would probably be the most likely scenario.”

“My sense is that all of the parties are willing and there’s good, strong sentiment in favour of this happening.”

Brisbane Heat General Manager Andrew McShea said both the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast regions had played significant roles in the popularity of the Heat in recent seasons.

The Sunshine Coast will again host pre-season BBL games this summer, with Brisbane taking on the Melbourne Renegades in the ‘Sunshine Coast Smash’ on Friday December 15 and Saturday December 16 at John Blanck Oval.

“Our ticketing information shows that the Heat draw heavily from the northern corridor to the Sunshine Coast and corresponding southern corridor to the Gold Coast,’’ he said.

“The Heat are certainly keen to test and grow those markets and would welcome the opportunity to play in the first BBL and WBBL games at Metricon Stadium if that possibility arises.”

 

[Matchu]

http://cbrbbb.com.au/

^ Canberra's bid to join the BBL. Their slogan is 'Secure our club. Secure your seat.'

Despite Sydney Thunder offering a two-year contract to play one game a season at Manuka Oval, the Canberra bid team and ACT Cricket have turned the offer down because they believe they can make a case to join the BBL next year. Brad Haddin has also joined their bid team so they seem to be really trying to make Canberra-based BBL franchise a reality.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

We barely have the depth of talent for the number of teams we have now.

 

[JC Hawks]

http://cbrbbb.com.au/

^ Canberra's bid to join the BBL. Their slogan is 'Secure our club. Secure your seat.'

Despite Sydney Thunder offering a two-year contract to play one game a season at Manuka Oval, the Canberra bid team and ACT Cricket have turned the offer down because they believe they can make a case to join the BBL next year. Brad Haddin has also joined their bid team so they seem to be really trying to make Canberra-based BBL franchise a reality.

There's really not enough talent in the BBL to support an additional team unless there is additional internationals added.

 

[Colonial]

We barely have the depth of talent for the number of teams we have now.

But having more players playing 1st class cricket will grow the talent pool.

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[Carbine Chaos]

But having more players playing 1st class cricket will grow the talent pool.

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The Big Bash isn’t First Class cricket.

It may eventually, but it will lower the standard.

 

[Colonial]

The Big Bash isn’t First Class cricket.

It may eventually, but it will lower the standard.

At 1st. But then with more options for players and a higher calibre of games the standard will grow.

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[Carbine Chaos]

At 1st. But then with more options for players and a higher calibre of games the standard will grow.

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The standard won’t grow appreciably until they get more high class internationals playing - which, due to the timing of the tournament, they won’t.

It’s the one big advantage the IPL has (along with a deeper domestic talent pool).

 

[Colonial]

The standard won’t grow appreciably until they get more high class internationals playing - which, due to the timing of the tournament, they won’t.

We can if more kids start playing with more options to play for.

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[ROOTA#6]

The standard won’t grow appreciably until they get more high class internationals playing - which, due to the timing of the tournament, they won’t.

It’s the one big advantage the IPL has (along with a deeper domestic talent pool).

And the only reason the IPL has that advantage is the money

 

[Carbine Chaos]

And the only reason the IPL has that advantage is the money

And a different window, yes.

I think the Big Bash is a good competition that doesn’t require expansion.

 

[big_e]

But having more players playing 1st class cricket will grow the talent pool.

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I'm not against the idea in maybe another five years, but that's not the argument for it. I mean, is there a particular dearth of cricketers in the ACT?

 

[Colonial]

I'm not against the idea in maybe another five years, but that's not the argument for it. I mean, is there a particular dearth of cricketers in the ACT?

Im not saying lets have a 16 team comp by 2020.

But having more teams gives more opportunities to players.
Find that diamond in the rough.

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[matty p]

Why are Australians so intent on having multiple teams in each city? Sydney and Melbourne are the only cities big enough to potentially sustain 2 healthy BBL teams with relatively equal support, just as in the US only the absolute largest cities have two teams in any major sport.

The BBL needs to expand to other cities. Gold Coast and Canberra will hopefully be the first two, closely followed by Geelong and Newcastle. That would be a healthy 12-team league.

 

[ROOTA#6]

Why are Australians so intent on having multiple teams in each city? Sydney and Melbourne are the only cities big enough to potentially sustain 2 healthy BBL teams with relatively equal support, just as in the US only the absolute largest cities have two teams in any major sport.

The BBL needs to expand to other cities. Gold Coast and Canberra will hopefully be the first two, closely followed by Geelong and Newcastle. That would be a healthy 12-team league.

The comp doesn't need to expand at all....the problem with competitions in Australia is that they think they should be bigger than they need to be

 

[Colonial]

The comp doesn't need to expand at all....the problem with competitions in Australia is that they think they should be bigger than they need to be

12 team league would be perfect.

NBL and ALeague both suffer from lack of opposition

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