Todd Greenberg new Australian Cricketers’ Association boss: Why cricket’s powerbase is shifting from Melbourne toward Sydney

The Australian Cricketers Association’s appointment of new CEO Todd Greenberg adds to a growing list of the game’s Sydney-based powerbrokers.

Former NRL boss Todd Greenberg is the new chief executive of the ACA. Picture: Richard Dobson

Cricket Australia is unlikely to shift its powerbase away from Melbourne, despite Todd Greenberg breaking new ground as the first Sydney-based boss of the players’ union.

Fellow Sydney-sider Nick Hockley is the firming favourite to take on CA’s top job, full time after his outstanding role in overcoming an endless number of COVID-19 related hurdles to execute a summer for the ages.

However, if Hockley lands the CEO post, it’s still likely he would eventually have to shift to Melbourne where Cricket Australia’s HQ is at Jolimont.

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The ACA’s powerbrokers Shane Watson, Todd Greenberg and Greg Dyer. Picture: Richard Dobson

Even so, Greenberg’s appointment as chief executive of the Australian Cricketers’ Association and the standing Hockley has garnered among Sydney powerbrokers for saving the SCG Test has been significant in breaking the mould of the game’s Melbourne-centric administration.

The majority of CA’s board is based in Melbourne, and previous ACA bosses Alistair Nicholson, Paul Marsh and Tim May have all been Victorian based.

The Australian Cricket Board used to be run out of George Street in Sydney up until 35 years ago and the decision to not force the influential Greenberg to relocate to Melbourne has the potential to be a game-changer for broadening the game’s thinking outside of Victoria.

Interim CA boss Nick Hockley has performed his role with distinction since his appointment. Picture: AAP

“I see the job as being quite national and the ability for me to spend time in all parts of Australia, talking to the State associations and the players in particular is not just a Melbourne-based position,” said Greenberg.

“The plan is I won’t be relocating to Melbourne, but I do see myself spending some time there obviously with the staff at the ACA.

“I see most of my work actually being outside that office structure as opposed to being inside it. In summary, I’ll be spending some time in Melbourne but I won’t be relocating my home from Sydney.”

The majority of Australia’s biggest male and female cricketing names are Sydney based, which has often stood in stark contrast to all the bosses being in Melbourne.

Cricket Australia has previously been criticised for being too Melbourne-centric, but Hockley’s continued presence in Sydney during his tenure as interim CEO has already helped broaden the organisation’s horizons.

With Fox Sports boss Patrick Delany and Channel 7 chief executive James Warburton both based in Sydney, Hockley was able to get face-to-face with the two broadcasters during the complexities of a COVID summer where flying between States at a moment’s notice was impossible.

Not that it’s helped resolve CA’s ongoing dramas with Seven who are continuing to try and get out of their broadcast deal.

Hockley also formed close relationships with NSW powerbrokers like Stuart Ayres and Tony Shepherd which helped keep the summer alive.

Todd Greenberg will be named Cricket Australia CEO. Picture: AAP Images

FORMER NRL BOSS LANDS TOP CRICKET JOB

Former NRL boss Todd Greenberg will be appointed the new chief executive of the Australian Cricketers Association.

Greenberg departed as NRL chief executive last year after five years in the posting and will now take the helm of cricket’s strong players’ union.

It’s a huge coup for the ACA, with Greenberg one of the most experienced CEOs in Australian sport, having previously been the boss at the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Greenberg has a background in cricket, starting his career in sports administration at Cricket NSW.

The ACA confirmed Greenberg’s appointment and announced he will commence his first role back in sport on February 15.

“Todd has a strong affinity with the game, having been a former first-grade cricketer with Randwick in Sydney. He comes to the role with existing relationships with many people in cricket – including players and administrators – as well as a desire to work productively with all cricket’s partners in the best interests of the players and for the betterment of the game,” said the ACA in a statement.

“We believe his previous role as CEO of the NRL will serve him and the ACA well in this endeavour.

Former NRL CEO Todd Greenberg. Picture: AAP Images

“In Todd, we have someone with the qualities that our playing group looks for in the leadership of their Association.

“His experience in sports administration and his commercial acumen are backed by a strong record in player welfare and inclusiveness, including his great work on the implementation and growth of the NRL Women’s Premiership (NRLW).”

Greenberg said that cricket was his first love.

“I would like to thank the ACA Board and the players for the opportunity to advocate for them. I have a long history with cricket – it’s the game I first fell in love with – and am looking forward to the opportunity to work closely on their behalf in partnership with Cricket Australia and the State Associations for the good of the game,” he said.

“This is a role that comes with great responsibility and I am very much looking forward to meeting and speaking to as many players and members as I can over the coming months.”

Greenberg replaces the ACA’s outgoing CEO and former Melbourne Demons AFL player Alastair Nicholson.

The ACA has previously had Tim May and Paul Marsh as highly influential chief executives, but Greenberg could be the best connected CEO the union has ever had.

Greenberg is well connected to Government and Stadiums and is a professional operator well versed in crisis management having worked in the rough and tumble world of rugby league.

Cricketers have fought hard for their pay model and they’ll expect Greenberg to keep up the fight.

Todd Greenberg (left) will lead the Australian Cricketers Association. Picture: Getty Images

It’s an interesting time for Greenberg to be appointed, given Cricket Australia hasn’t yet got a full-time chief executive of its own.

Interim CA chief Nick Hockley is firming to take over the full-time role after his extraordinary efforts to keep the cricket summer alive despite border closures and threats from India.

If Hockley did get the job it would be an interesting dynamic given Greenberg’s comparatively high public profile in NSW and Queensland.

It’s a sensitive time for cricket with COVID-19 trimming budgets around Australian cricket and impacting on the wellbeing of players as they face extended periods in quarantine bubbles.

Channel 7 is still at war with Cricket Australia and until a court case runs its course, there remains a possibility the network may not broadcast the game next summer.