Cricket Australia walks away from Commonwealth Bank sponsorship after 37 years

Cricket Australia has walked away from a long-time sponsorship agreement with the Commonwealth Bank, which stretches back to 1987.

CA and CBA confirmed the split ending a partnership of 37 years after it was revealed by this masthead on Friday night.

Australia star Ellyse Perry wears a Commonwealth Bank-sponsored kit.Credit: Getty Images

Sources with knowledge of discussions, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the Commonwealth Bank was eager to extend its deal, but Cricket Australia wanted to go a different way.

The deal will end when the current contract expires on June 30, 2025.

CA is poised to unveil a new sponsorship arrangement with Westpac as its exclusive banking partner. The bank’s logo will appear on the shirts of men’s and women’s teams.

Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley.Credit: Brook Mitchell

Commonwealth Bank has been a long-time supporter of men’s and women’s cricket. The organisation has been involved in women’s cricket for 26 years.

A Cricket Australia spokesperson declined to comment on Friday evening, before a press release appeared on CBA’s website after this masthead confirmed the news.

“When CommBank joined forces with Cricket Australia in 1987, it was a year for the history books,” CA chief executive Nick Hockley said in a statement.

“Lyn Larsen led the women’s team to victory against England in the Women’s Ashes, and Allan Border captained the men’s team in their first Cricket World Cup victory.

“Cricket has come a long way since then – and we’re incredibly grateful to CommBank for the role they’ve played in driving the game forward.”

A CBA spokesperson said: “We were keen to continue our long-standing relationship with Cricket Australia and made a very attractive offer to them, but they have decided on commercial grounds to go in a different direction.”

Commonwealth Bank Group executive of marketing and corporate affairs, Monique Macleod, said in a statement: “We have enjoyed being part of Australian cricket. Watching the women’s game go from strength to strength and seeing so many of our amazing women cricketers inspire young girls to pick up a bat or a ball is something the bank’s incredibly proud of.”

CBA has sponsored men’s Test series and supported the Australian women’s team in 2020 when they won the T20 World Cup final at the MCG.