Seven Network chief executive James Warburton is the clear winner from the cricket sports rights negotiations that will, in partnership with Foxtel, deliver an estimated $1.4 billion to Cricket Australia over the seven years to 2031.

Warburton played the game superbly, including suing Cricket Australia for damages for false and misleading conduct and breaching its existing contract, while at the same time negotiating an annual payment about $10 million less than its existing cricket deal, which expires in 2025.