The ECB is not fit for Purpose.

[huttoneagle]

Whilst the recognition of Alastair and 2% of children nominating cricket as their favourite sport are worrying facts are they suggesting that an 8 city T20 will address the issues and raise the profile of cricket? I think not.

If you are a parent/grandparent wouldn't you rather take your offspring to a "local match" to watch cricket rather than the have the time and expense of travelling to your nearest city franchise (in our case London) to watch a collection of "all stars".

Listening to John and Derek speak, a number of the counties have seen through the flaws of this scheme, however the real issue is about money. A number of the counties appear willing to take the millions on offer to get them out of the debt they have built up over the years, whatever the consequences are on their own county revenues, very much living for the moment!!!

The existing T20 format, played over a 3 month period and with falling attendances at a number of counties is no longer attractive to Sky. If this proposal is voted for you will see the demise of the county T20 competition, perhaps this is what the ECB want!!! 

[Andy]

What is more interesting is that UFC is pay per view which is not the case for Sky cricket over and above the relevant package. So is it down to marketing? Private Eye has now got into the question of cricket finances and the role of Mr Graves and his family trust and the non conflict of interests. Let's hope they pursue it

Well, could say that the likes of WWF/WWE do well with PPV. However, notice these are all US 'sports' who've gone through various iterations of media outlets.  What works in the States doesn't always elsewhere - but also the (self-initiated) decline in pro-boxing left a big hole, along with opportunities for women divisions as well.

No-one would expect cricket to go back to the 1970s and just be shown on the BBC for a pittance, but the double-team of no opportunities for casual viewers on terrestrial, as well as decline in school's cricket have hit the game in the UK, ironically because the S#Y money allowed the better players to rest and focus on the international game with some definite improvement in the national team.

[essexfan548]

I wonder how they conducted that survey and how old the children were.

Without that context the data is meaningless.

[neil]

A bit more information and comment here from the much loved Hampshire chairman!

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/cricket/hampshire_cricket/14772258.CRICKET__Hampshire_statement_on_the_proposed_city_based_T20_competition/?ref=rl&lp=4

Very pertinent point that John Cena is only seen on satellite television

Personally, I think that a lot of this argument is lost and it doesn't make a huge  amount of difference whether cricket (in particular the longer forms of the game) is shown on terrestrial television or not. These days things are more instant so T20 is the future - like it or not.

Whether a city based tournament is the answer I don't know. While I accept the Big Bash has it's differences to how things work over here it was excellent and exciting viewing.

[IlfordEagle]

It's alright for Bransgrove to go on about T20 Franchises as Ageas Bowl will almost certainly be one of the host grounds, I wonder what he means by Counties who are interested in releasing players? I can't imagine any Counties not releasing their players.
He comes across as an arrogant type of person who won't be prepared to listen to even reasoned argument & objections to his plans. I wonder what the Hants Members really think of him?
He is not a man I would trust!!