Big Bash League has nothing to fear from A-League, says Sydney Thunder boss

THERE’S a simple reason Sydney Thunder boss Nick Cummins is not worried about any threat from football — the Big Bash League attracts a television audience 10 times that of the A-League.

And the fact genuine rivalries are brewing in the BBL will only see Twenty20 cricket further strengthen its grip on the Aussie summer sporting market.

The sight of around 80,000 football and cricket fans packing Allianz Stadium and the SCG next Saturday night for the A-League and BBL derbies will be a win for Sydney sport.

But the TV ratings makes it a no-brainer when it comes to deciding which code reigns supreme.

SYDNEY DERBY READY TO BASH BBL


The Big Bash has no reason to feel overshadowed. Pic: Gregg Porteous
“I think the A-League is a well-run league and it’s great for NSW sport with the Wanderers and Sydney FC,’’ Cummins told The Sunday Telegraph.

“But we don’t see them as a threat. They’re on a different scale to us. We get over 1 million viewers a game on TV, and they get 80,000-or-so viewers on pay TV.’’

And as Network Ten enjoys bumper ratings again this summer and SCG and Spotless Stadium are regularly packed out, Sydney Sixers general manager Dominic Redmond says there’s good reason the BBL’s bubble will burst.

THUNDER SHOCK THE STARS


Football wins the Moore Park battle — the cricket wins the ratings war. (Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
“You’re always concerned about what might happen, but we’ve now overcome that four- and five-year itch,’’ Redmond said.

“I think we’re now drawing the traditionalists who were in the initial stages not overly supportive of Twenty20 cricket, but now know it’s an important (format) in keeping interest in the game. Last year 29 per cent of people who came to our games were coming to a formal game for the first time.

“Our merchandise sales across the league in kids replica jerseys are also unbelievable. We do over 40 per cent of our replica jerseys in kids sizes. If you look at the footy codes, their kids replica jerseys are around the mid-20s.

“We’re starting to see that passion, and with passion the stakes only get higher.’’


You fans are a huge reason for the BBL’s rise. Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
For the first four seasons of the BBL, glamour boys the Sixers dominated their little brother from the western suburbs.

They belted them in eight straight matches, only for Mike Hussey and Jacques Kallis — two of the greatest players to play the game — inspiring the Thunder to get two wins back on the Sixers before going all the way to win the title last summer.

Rivalry exists between the players, most of whom know each other from within the Cricket NSW system. Results also mean something for supporters.

The BBL is no longer a hit and giggle with some fireworks thrown in. While the BBL does not have The Cove or Red and Black Bloc — Sydney FC and the Western Sydney Wanderers’ respective supporter groups — Thunder fans hurled abuse at players after their loss to the Brisbane Heat on December 28, then partied in the stands when Eoin Morgan launched a final-ball six for victory on Wednesday night.

“Win or lose, the passion is palpable,’’ Cummins said. “The fans get upset when we lose, and I can vouch for this first hand.’’

Roughly 40,000 of them will be cheering or crying next Saturday night at the SCG.

Originally published as ‘We don’t see football as a threat’

http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/big-bash-league-has-nothing-to-fear-from-aleague-says-sydney-thunder-boss/news-story/489b59576d5003678ce04c48af42f7ec