CA CEO James Sutherlandgetty images
Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland "stepped down from his position, continuing the period of uncertainty over the game" in Australia, according to Andrew Wu of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Sutherland, who has been at the helm since '01, announced on Wednesday he will "serve out his notice period of 12 months" to give CA time to find a "suitable replacement." It comes after a "turbulent few months for Australian cricket highlighted by the ball tampering crisis." CA Chair David Peever said that Sutherland's departure "was not linked to the turmoil in South Africa." Peever said, "It hasn't impacted at all." The pair "had been discussing the timing" of Sutherland's exit for two years. There was "also consideration to Sutherland leaving after the recent Ashes summer" but the board "wanted him to oversee the negotiations for a new broadcast deal," which netted a record A$1.18B ($900M). Peever: "It was completely James' decision" (SMH, 6/6).
BIG SHOES TO FILL: In Sydney, Peter Lalor reported Sutherland "denied the scandal in South Africa had anything to do with this decision." The "hunt is now on to find a replacement for what is arguably the best job in Australian sport -- and the most difficult." CA hired a recruitment firm to find a replacement for the departing exec, who is believed to earn about A$2M ($1.53M) a year. Sutherland said of the scandal in South Africa, "It was a significant issue at the time, but when you work in an issues-rich environment like we do and as a chief executive of a major sport, these things come from time to time." Among those positioned to replace Sutherland is Kevin Roberts, the former board member and "lead negotiator in the memorandum of understanding dispute" who was recently elevated to second in charge behind Sutherland. The retiring chair of NSW Cricket, John Warn, is also "likely to be a strong candidate." Others who could "put their hand up" include: WACA CEO Christina Matthews, Football Federation Australia CEO David Gallop and National Rugby League CEO Todd Greenberg. NSW Rugby League COO Stuart Clark, a former test player, "is another with a cricket background and administrative experience" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 6/7). The HERALD SUN reported Sutherland, a former cricketer with Victoria, was appointed in '01 as Malcolm Speed's successor at the then-Australian Cricket Board. Sutherland said, "After nearly 20 years at Cricket Australia and 17 years as chief executive, the time is right for me and my family. My successor will have a strong and stable platform to lead our sport and deliver on our bold aspirations for cricket to be Australia's favorite sport and a sport for all Australians. My overwhelming feeling today is a sense of gratitude. I feel fortunate to be given the opportunity to be given this job" (HERALD SUN, 6/6).
A LOW POINT:REUTERS' Ian Ransom reported Sutherland "has helped turn the game into a commercial powerhouse" in Australia’s crowded sports market, striking "lucrative broadcast deals" and ushering in the "now successful" Big Bash League in '11. CA’s "swelling coffers have made the country’s elite among the world’s best-paid cricketers," but relations with the players have "often been strained through his tenure." They "hit a low point during last year’s acrimonious pay dispute." Sutherland, who delegated negotiations to Roberts, was roundly criticized for "being absent from the talks until the wrangling threatened to scupper a tour to India" (REUTERS, 6/5).
