Sussex Profit (Page 11 of 12)

TC,

It is no surprise that those counties who held Ashes Tests last summer have had a strong financial season. Glamorgan, Warwickshire and now Yorkshire, all citing this as being the primary factor.

Sussex had their own finances boosted because of the 4 day game last June. A pity, the Aussies can't be persuaded to play more practise matches against county clubs that never have the opportunity to host them.

I feel sorry for Middlesex who miss out on the financial bonanza at 'Lords' each time because the monies go to the MCC and not them.

I note only Derbyshire will benefit this year, when Australia play them in a touring game in July before their Pakistan series. The other practise match is at 'Lords' in June.

As a history footnote:

In 1948, Australia played every English county as part of their touring schedule as well as a host of other first class games (31 in total). While unrealistic now, given the sheer number of International matches, imagine how that would help the finances of county cricket today.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian … 8#v_Sussex

Last edited by softandfluffy (17-03-2010 13:32:07)

shark64,

Yep, a pipedream.

Interesting how Yorkshire CCCs local paper is more critical of the club's financial plight. Their over-reliance on Test match and ODI games' revenue is a problem. I wish Yorkshire the best of luck in resolving their difficulties.

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/cricket/ … 6071720.jp

Last edited by softandfluffy (17-03-2010 16:15:28)

Lancashire CCC are the latest county club to invest a vast sum of money into redeveloping their Old Trafford ground - a thumping £32m. The hope is to keep their Test status and be awarded an Ashes match in 2013; upset that Glamorgan hijacked the club's usual prize last season.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/ma … ent-clears

So, with Glamorgan's 'Swalec Stadium' and Hampshire's 'Rosebowl' as the new kids on the block, that means England have 8 different Test grounds all vying for a slice of the same financial bonanza - primarily, 5 Ashes Tests every 4 years. Not good when both 'Lords' and 'The Oval' are given priority, anyway. So, that is 6 counties fighting over just 3 Tests.

How will clubs like Hampshire (£48m investment); Lancashire (£32m); or Yorkshire (£18m in debt), ever get their investments' back, if the 'big' money comes only once every 4 years, and where there is no guarantee of being awarded an Ashes Test, anyway?

Meanwhile, Pakistan must be applauded when England host their Test series against Australia this summer. They play 6 touring matches against counties between June and September including LV2 clubs like Worcestershire, Leicestershire and Northants. This should bring in much welcomed extra money.

Australia, on the other hand, play only two. One at 'Lords' which doesn't financially help Middlesex at all and Derbyshire.

http://www.ecb.co.uk/ecb/about-ecb/medi … 28,EN.html

Last edited by softandfluffy (19-03-2010 15:57:13)

langford,

I've discovered the England home fixtures in Olympics' year and surprisingly it is very full.

Presumably, due to the uncertainty, Lords have no international games while the Oval one Test and one ODI. The winners are the established non-London Test grounds; while the primary loser is the 'Rosebowl' who've only been given 1 ODI and Glamorgan 2 ODIs. Let's see how the remaining allocations fair.

My primary beef is yet another competition against Australia. Greed is taking over the ECB. What ever happened to the every 2 years?

We have: Ashes 2009 in England: 5 ODIs 2010 in England: Ashes 2011 in Australia; 5 ODIs 2012 in England: Ashes 2013 in England. This will kill off the 'special' and 'unique' flavour of the matches. Imagine holding the 'Ryder Cup' every year. It would just become another golf tournament.

2012

West Indies Tests: Edgbaston, Trent Bridge

West Indies ODIs: Cardiff, Headingley Carnegie, The Brit Oval

South Africa Tests: Headingley Carnegie, The Brit Oval

South Africa ODIs: Cardiff, Rose Bowl, Trent Bridge

South Africa T20: Old Trafford

Domestic T20 final: Lord's

To allocate: Test match and 1 T20 v West Indies; 1 Test match v South Africa; 5 ODIs v Australia

Last edited by softandfluffy (19-03-2010 17:21:32)

langford,

Sussex CCC have changed the Membership system for 2010.

If memory serves, Members had to pay for 20/20 matches; they weren't included before. Membership only covered 4 day and Pro40. So, this shows how much income Sussex derived from 20/20 last year. Not surprising, given they won the tournament.

5M,

Those Essex financial results sum up the malaise of many county clubs. What I find refreshing is the honesty from Sussex's chairman, Jim May, when he states the club is non-profit making. This must take a lot of pressure off the administrators. Therefore, Dave Brooks' CEO role is not so much to make an annual profit but simply to keep Sussex solvent and away from bankruptcy. And when a profit is made it's an added bonus. Given this mindset, Sussex can continue to compete financially with other clubs.

Like May, my concern for Test ground counties with ballooning debt is growing. Sussex are in such a strong position compared to them. God alone knows what will happen if the 'Ashes' is switched to terrestrial TV. The income lost to the ECB, is the money which Yorkshire and others are presently using just to pay off the annual interest on their loans.

I am amazed that Graham Gooch is in favour of this switch. Does he fully understand the implications?  Anyway, we should have the decision within the next 6 weeks.

Last edited by softandfluffy (22-03-2010 12:27:38)

BP,

There is a difference between 'whingeing' and 'questioning'. If a county makes a record  turnover of £5.8m and then produces just £1,455 profit, one is curious as to know why.

We discover this is primarily due to a 30% player/staff salary increase (+£790k) and less interest income from the Cama legacy (-£267,801) compared to 2008.

Jim May concedes Sussex are not a profit-making concern, so any gain is a bonus. Mark Robinson accepts there is a problem concerning players' wage inflation. If Ed Joyce, Monty and others are accepting lower salaries than some other clubs, Sussex's wage increase might have been even higher. Compared to some counties, Sussex are in a stable financial position for the future.

Meanwhile, Edgbaston are also going ahead with a £30m ground redevelopment; and even Gloucestershire are jumping on this bandwagon madness, stating they want to increase their capacity from 4,000 to 20,000, in a bid to host international matches. That may well cost them £20m+.

Given the present economic uncertainty and the growing competition to host international matches, I would rather be in Dave Brooks' shoes than certain other county club CEOs.

As the British economist E.F Schumacher said, "Small is beautiful."

Last edited by softandfluffy (22-03-2010 15:02:01)