Sutherland rejects ‘mischievous’ rumours ABC will lose cricket radio rights
Related Story: 'The sound of summer': Pollies go in to bat for ABC cricket broadcasting Related Story: Cricket broadcast deal faces regulatory hurdles as ODIs head behind paywall
James Sutherland praised the "fantastic relationship" Cricket Australia enjoys with the ABC as the chief executive moved to dispel reports suggesting the national broadcaster was set to lose the radio rights to international cricket.
Speaking to ABC Radio Melbourne's Jon Faine, Sutherland said he hoped the ABC would continue to broadcast cricket and that reports to the contrary were "mischievous".
"We've had a fantastic relationship with the ABC over a long period … I think probably longer than any other broadcaster, TV or radio, in 80 years," he said.
"We've never been in a position to think about not having the ABC as our partner.
"This article you referred to through Nine's internet site is nothing but mischievous in my view."
Sutherland, who announced last week his intention to stand down as CA boss, added that negotiations for the radio rights deal were ongoing but very close to being finalised and the ABC was still involved in those discussions.
"I spoke with Michael Mason yesterday, the director of ABC Radio, and we both confirmed to each other our commitment to see this through, so we're not far away," he said.
"It is a non-exclusive arrangement, so just as we have in the past we'll have other radio broadcasters who are covering it, and I think it's more related to us being able to announce all of our partners at the same time — just like we did with our television broadcasters recently — than anything we're asking for from the ABC."
The ABC has been broadcasting Australian cricket for over 80 years and is seen as being synonymous with the national game, so much so that politicians from across the political spectrum came out in force to defend the ABC yesterday.
Sutherland said he wasn't surprised by the response.
"I'm one of those fans as well and have been since I was a little kid and that's how — certainly when I'm listening on the radio — that's how I consume or engage with cricket," he said.
On Thursday, CA released a statement saying media speculation about the ABC being excluded from cricket broadcasting was "incorrect".
"We are currently finalising our media rights negotiation and are comfortable with this process," a spokesman said.
Sutherland echoed this statement and put the rumours down to rival networks looking to get a competitive advantage at this late stage in the broadcast deal, which is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
"I guess it's competitive tension isn't it? People will go to various lengths, appropriate and on occasion inappropriate, to try to get a competitive advantage," he said.
"From our perspective — as a sport that wants to be Australia's favourite sport and to provide the best possible access and service — we're certainly committed to the long-term partnership that we've had with the ABC and looking forward to renewing it."
[contf]
[contfnew]
ABC .net
[contfnewc]
[contfnewc]
