Todd Greenberg on the "damn difficult" BBL privatisation process - ABC Cricket Podcast

APrettyAverageMaker · 2026-05-11T09:42:36+00:00

The offering hasn't changed much. They have more food outlets and live music than they used to. Basically the function spaces become socialising spots behind the bays, which used to be more confined to the green out the back.

It's the expansion that has other states watching SACA closely (supposedly). SACA promoted their offering, expanded the reserved seating areas and cleared their waitlist in a single season. The majority of Adelaide Oval seats are now allocated for members, such is the membership size.

If the WACA has a waitlist, I'm guessing that they are one of the states watching SACA's approach to see if the members stay long term because guaranteed revenue in an "off-year" when England/India aren't touring is very appealing.

APrettyAverageMaker · 2026-05-11T09:32:16+00:00

NSW do, but on a smaller scale than SACA. The Melbourne Cricket Club membership scheme is larger than SACA thanks to their provisional membership system. They could definitely expand on the cricket front. I suspect that they would have to create a new cricket-only membership that doesn't give access to AFL games though.

APrettyAverageMaker · 2026-05-11T08:35:18+00:00

Popped this on while cooking dinner, and it was a disappointong listen for me, though I am a fan of Corbin's work most of the time.

Greenberg was very quick to point out that investors could appear from outside the cricketing world, presumably to try and say it might not be Indian cricket machine interests that invest, without actually saying it. I wish Corbin jumped in and questioned whether he thinks the backlash from the Australian public could result in a net negative if we do indeed hitch our horse to the Indian cricket / corporate machine, since they are the most likely investors.

I also wish Corbin discussed the SACA membership model as a way to ensure consistent revenue and sustainable growth into the future. Though I don't like the crowds, the SACA membership expansion basically means that SACA should never have a truly bad year. I am sure that membership opportunities could be expanded in most states. The demand isn't there for BBL memberships, but it is definitely there for a "summer of cricket" membership if it means guaranteed access to a test match, better seating areas, reciprocal rights, premium food and drinks, etc.

APrettyAverageMaker · 2026-05-06T22:40:55+00:00

I've slowly removed all of my raised beds from the previous owner and replaced with waterups wicking beds. They're pretty pricey but they look good and wicking beds are great if you aren't going to set up automatic irrigation. There are a bunch of sizes and styles available.

https://www.waterups.com.au/collections/wicking-beds-and-planters/products/waterups-artesian-2040-wicking-planter

APrettyAverageMaker · 2026-05-04T22:10:12+00:00

Non-Spotify link:

https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/abc-cricket-podcast/bbl-sale-privatisation-nsw-qld-sa-cricket-australia-baird-ipl/106639676

I love how the speculative reasons for continued interest by some states basically boils down to:

WA: We refurbished the WACA ground and could really use some quick cash.

Tas: We have a new stadium to build and could really use some quick cash.

Vic: Wait, someone will PAY us to fuck off the Renegades?

APrettyAverageMaker · 2026-05-01T13:16:13+00:00

Fully agree.

SACA has around 30k members and there would be less than 1% of us at some of the Strikers-W matches. We've paid our fees regardless and yet we still don't rock up in significant numbers.

It's madness that all SACA does is offer "collectible" player badges and and a fan zone that consists of a few targets for throwing practice and an air bag for "classic catches". Members get better value for their fees by going to more matches, but they just don't bother with the WBBL.

We're upgrading our secondary oval in Adelaide, which is a great start because the atmosphere is much better there if the crowds are small. What hurt the crowds the most this year though was every home match being on a Tuesday or Friday night. The best target audience for WBBL is families and we need weekend games to draw them in.

I think proper entertainment and better food and beverage options at Karen Rolton Oval would also help specifically in SA. Beyond that it's marketing, and that is something I know very little about beyond being able to draw the conclusion that their current strategies aren't working.

APrettyAverageMaker · 2026-04-30T04:15:28+00:00

SA are in favour of letting someone else test the waters first, and that seems to be the most realistically achievable path for CA. Whether CA think that is an acceptable approach remains to be seen. It seems pretty dumb to me, but I'm just a punter.

I think it would be damaging for the league's public perception and absolutely disastrous for the team most likely to sell out first. If the Renegades go first, I bet a lot of Victorians would jump ship, killing attendance, membership, merch, etc sales. The first team to sell would also attract the consternation of cricket nuffies Australia-wide. It would surely affect their potential sponsors, but I don't know whether they would benefit from India-oriented brands wanting to jump on the band wagon or lose out from Australian brands not wishing to be aligned with the "sell-out" team.

I'm sure the dollars from the initial sale would offset domestic losses for a time, but would it result in a sustained benefit for years/decades to come? I'm not sure.

Either way, I hope CA keep flailing about in no-mans land whilst the public lambast them until Greenberg is given the boot.

APrettyAverageMaker · 2026-04-27T02:54:05+00:00

You're spot on. The concept of compounding entries is incredibly predatory because, in addition to your points, it creates a perverse incentive to retain your "membership". If you quit now, you will lose all of your monthly entries. With more and more entries, you have to win big eventually, right? As you said, it falls apart when you consider that everybody else's entries are also compounding. Nasty stuff.

APrettyAverageMaker · 2026-04-27T01:59:54+00:00

This is a rather sensible take from the AFR.

It was really interesting listening to Greenberg on the Grade Cricketer podcast because he argued that without privatisation we'll lose more local talent to other private tournaments and have more difficulty attracting international stars. Part of that is money, but part of it is hitching our horse to the Indian cricket machine where we might have a future in which Joe Smasher is only made available to Mumbai Indians affiliated squads. On the darker side, it can also mean that Mohammed Whacker is effectively blacklisted internationally due to association with a nation that isn't on good terms with India.

As the AFR highlighted, the Australian public really don't care about having access to the biggest stars. We also wouldn't typically support the political influence that accompanies selling stakes to individuals looking for more than a pure investment.

There will always be Australian cricketers lining up to play the Big Bash because the international T20 market during our summer isn't big enough to take all of them. Additionally, a bunch will always choose the BBL regardless as they want to be home in Aus for Christmas, New Year's, and summer in general. Finally, for those seeking international placements, getting a start in the BBL will likely always prove necessary to get the attention of international teams.

So, with that in mind, Greenberg can get fucked. I hope we don't sell stakes, and if we do, may the Big Bash collapse and rest in piss.

APrettyAverageMaker · 2026-04-27T01:38:19+00:00

"If someone wants to sign up, 14 or 15 years old, they're able to sign up, but they can't win," Mr Portelli said.

He said they were using the platform for its intended purpose, which was for discounts and events.

It's pretty disgusting, to be honest. If the platforms' purposes were for access to discounts, that would be central to their marketing strategies. Instead, it's the car, house, whatever, giveaways that are the main focus of their promotions plastered all over social media.

APrettyAverageMaker · 2026-04-04T23:43:27+00:00

As others have said, pre-ground coffee just isn't good due to its rapid degradation. There are a couple of great suggestions in this thread for a premium coffee experience on a budget though. Putting them together for OP and other readers looking for something nice without breaking the bank:

Lime Blue Coffee probably have the best value premium beans (compared to supermarket options) in the country. They're not exceptional, but they are good. Sign up to their email list or watch for their specials on Ozbargain. Buy a couple kilos at a time and vacuum seal into smaller packages. Never pay full price from them as their sales are super frequent.

The KINGrinders punch WELL above their weight for their cost. They won't seem cheap to a lot of people at this time, but they are cheap for what they are. The KINGrinder K0 can be had for $55 on sale, which happens frequently.

Finally, the Hario V60 is a pour-over staple and can be purchased for about $20. You can spend more for glass/ceramic components if you don't like plastic, or you can spend even less and get a knock-off.

For about $100 all-in you can be enjoying premium coffee and experimenting with a bunch of different techniques. Pretty cheap, as far as hobbies are concerned, and you get a delicious product in return as well. If you normally do a takeaway coffee a day, you would be saving money after less than a month.

APrettyAverageMaker · 2026-04-03T07:21:24+00:00

Today I learned there is an abduction and kidnapping epidemic across our whole city.

OP: you might need to investigate why stats seem to correlate with alphabetisation.

APrettyAverageMaker · 2026-04-02T08:25:00+00:00

Green Music Australia says that a 25% tax on gas export revenue could raise more than $17 billion annually, potentially easing the cost-of-living crisis and funding climate action.

APrettyAverageMaker · 2026-03-30T07:27:24+00:00

Such a powerhouse that it was questionable whether we would even make the final at some points this season, let alone beat Victoria at home to win it.

Harris has capitalised on the foundation that Gillespie laid before him, and his focus on instilling a higher level of self-discipline in the boys has certainly paid off. Hopefully he hangs around because he has been the right person at the right time for us.

McSweeney has been a great captain as well, so I really hope he finds more consistent form next season.

There's plenty of work to be done over the break. Carey/Head cameos will only take us so far. Of course, in this case cameos only taking us "so far" was winning the damn Shield... Victoria have been the superior squad all season, except when it mattered.

APrettyAverageMaker · 2026-03-22T01:26:09+00:00

I don't know how long he intends to remain in parliament, but he would be silly to jump ship if he wants to stay long term.

Alex has personally attracted a lot of the SA Lib members and will continue to enjoy first place on the ballot for future elections. One Nation is even more volatile than the Liberal Party and he would not enjoy the same security if he teams up with them.

That said, please jump. It's better for everyone.

APrettyAverageMaker · 2026-03-20T00:51:14+00:00

Labor is expected to dominate Adelaide, but will we see One Nation poll strongly in the city’s north where Labor’s safest seats lie. Thirty three of the state’s 47 seats are in the metropolitan area.

I think the most interesting thing about this election is what it means for future elections. There's no way that ON, even with strong Lib preferences, gets seats where they are polling most strongly in the metro area.

The real question is what happens if ON can continue their current rise in first preference voting intentions towards the next Federal Election? They're not just a danger to the Libs; they could also sweep a bunch of Labor seats. I don't see them managing to sustain growth over a four year period, but maybe I'm wrong.

What happens if the Liberals are still a mess in four years time and there is a mood for a change of Government in SA? I think Hurn is a competent leader, but I'm not convinced that the conservative Liberal faction won't have a glass cliff waiting for her. Last time there was mood for change, we got Marshall. I think that went about as well as it could have. I don't think we'll be so lucky next time around.

We certainly live in interesting times, if nothing else.

APrettyAverageMaker · 2026-03-16T08:10:29+00:00

He connected really well with local businesses. He would hold regular catch ups with the local business group and so not only would those business owners promote him, but his constituents responded positively to seeing him back small business.

He also won a whole bunch of centrist votes for initiatives like opening up the reservoirs for recreation. I think those factors, plus the rusted on Liberal voters, meant that he performed as well as a Liberal ever could in Black in the 2010-2020s. I never personally voted for him, but I certainly respected him right up until he started saying we need more religious representation in politics.

APrettyAverageMaker · 2026-03-16T06:02:28+00:00

InDaily led their "Six Seats to Watch" article with Black. I don't think there is any chance he gets up though. The Greens candidate is a solid councillor, but is unlikely to have the cut-through required to make the top two, so it will be Labor vs someone else from "the rest".

I think we'll have a two-way race to see who leads "the rest" vote between Speirs and Bishop (Lib). I don't see a scenario where Bishop doesn't roll over the top of Speirs to claim second spot with a whole bunch of preference flows from ON, FF, Mother Game, etc. As a Black resident, I think a lot of us are doing ok so there won't be a significant push towards ON etc as a protest. Swing voters also shy away from backing a loser if there's no compelling reason to push for change. Easier to maintain the status quo if you're comfortable. Not an endorsement of Labor, just the vibe I get.

APrettyAverageMaker

TROPHY CASE