Big Bash League Manager Anthony Everard is hoping this week "shows just how big" the BBL has become in its breakthrough season, when the Melbourne-Perth final goes "head-to-head against the Australian Open tennis just across the road," according to Rob Forsaith of the AAP. The total attendance figure for the fifth BBL season is "likely to pass" 1 million this week, when the competition wraps up with two semifinals and a final. Crowds have been up around the country this season -- "seven of the eight BBL sides set new records." That includes when 80,883 fans "poured into the MCG for the Melbourne derby." Jostling for the city's attention alongside the Australian Open "will be a major test of the league's development." Everard: "There's no doubt the environment has changed. The Australian Open is hugely popular. But we take a lot of confidence out of the momentum we've built over the last few weeks. A Friday night game on the Australia Day long weekend is going to be very appealing for a lot of families." Cheap tickets have "played a large role in the BBL's booming crowds, while scheduling the six-week tournament in school holidays has also been a key factor." Everard said, "We've had really strong crowds throughout the week." He has taken "just as much pride in the inaugural WBBL season, which has also grabbed record attendance figures and TV ratings" (AAP, 1/19).
