Post by : Maya Rahman

Cricket Australia (CA) has reported a net shortfall of A$11.3 million for the 2024–25 financial year, revealed at its annual general meeting. The result comes even as overall income increased, largely driven by the commercial success of the Border-Gavaskar Test series against India.

Total revenue climbed by A$49.2 million year-on-year to A$453.7 million, CA said. Officials attributed much of the rise to a fresh domestic media-rights deal and strong returns from the five-Test India tour, which attracted substantial broadcast audiences and sold-out crowds.

Despite that revenue boost, operational costs outpaced income growth. CA recorded an A$24.1 million rise in expenses for 2024–25, with higher marketing spends for the India tour and the added cost of supporting roughly 70 extra days of international touring for Australia’s men’s and women’s sides cited as key drivers.

Those elevated expenditures meant CA finished the year in deficit, renewing debate over the organisation’s medium-term financial strategy after several uneven reporting periods.

Member states expressed frustration that distributions to state and territory cricket bodies barely moved, increasing by just A$800,000 to A$120.9 million from A$120.1 million the previous year, a modest lift given overall revenue gains.

Cricket Victoria (CV) was particularly critical. CV chairman Ross Hepburn warned that repeated reviews have not delivered tangible improvements. “For another year, CA is presenting a financial loss with a balance sheet showing member funds in deficit,” Hepburn said, noting cumulative losses since 2018–19 when excluding exceptional items such as COVID impacts and World Cup receipts.

CA executives, however, are forecasting a stronger FY26. Chief Executive Todd Greenberg pointed to the upcoming Ashes series, which begins on November 21 in Perth, as a major revenue opportunity expected to bolster earnings through broadcast deals, sponsorship and ticketing.

Chief Financial Officer Sarah Pragnell outlined an anticipated lift in commercial and sponsorship income from A$69 million to about A$86 million in the next financial year. “The Ashes, combined with India’s white-ball fixtures in FY26, should deliver material profits to help rebuild our net assets and cash reserves,” she said.

Part of CA’s strategy to diversify revenue includes exploring private investment in Big Bash League (BBL) clubs to unlock additional commercial value and better position the competition against other global T20 leagues.

That proposal faces scrutiny from member states. Hepburn urged caution, saying any sale of ownership stakes in member assets should be a last resort and only considered after other options are fully explored.

CA management maintains the organisation remains on a solid footing and is optimistic the next financial cycle will see recovery. Leadership has pledged to strengthen commercial partnerships, streamline match operations and rely on major events to restore reserves.

The year ahead will be pivotal for Cricket Australia as it balances higher operating costs with anticipated income from marquee fixtures and commercial deals, factors that will determine how quickly the body can return to surplus.

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