NWS Seeking Cash Boost To Fight AFL's Western Push

A new A$12M ($12.3M) national strategic fighting fund looms as the key in Cricket New South Wales' attempt "to combat the Australian rules insurgency" in the country's fastest growing area, western Sydney, according to Chris Barrett of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The extra cash pool is to be voted on when Cricket Australia's new nine-member board meets for the first time in two weeks and is considered "a way for the major states to finally be granted a more proportionate slice of the broadcast rights revenue pie." Under the national financial distribution model, all associations "receive an equal one-sixth share of CA revenue." That structure will soon receive "a dramatic overhaul." The annual pot of money in the fund will start between A$8M and A$12M, with those details "set to be finalised when the board sits down" (SMH, 10/12).