Cricket Australia is openly looking into the possibility of a Christmas Day Big Bash game.
Currently, no BBL is played on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, due to the logistical complexities and allowing players time to spend with their families.
The concept is popular in the United States, with the NBA and NFL both now Christmas regulars.
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However, the December 25 sporting bridge has not yet been crossed by a major code in Australia, despite the NBL taking the plunge a few years ago.
Fireworks go off during the Big Bash League game on New Year’s Eve. Cricket Australia via Getty Imag
Cricket Australia boss Todd Greenberg is a big fan of the concept, but knows they have to get the execution right if they are to proceed.
“It’s a live conversation, my personal view is that would be a brilliant slot in the right market with the right teams,” Greenberg told SEN.
“Clearly, we have to work through the ACA (Australian Cricketers’ Association) and the players because we need to work with them on that.
“But we are actively engaged conversations as we speak … we’ve got a couple of models we’re testing and again we need to work with the players.
“I don’t want the players to feel like this has been imposed on them, I want the players to feel like they’re a part of something special and they’re a part of another occasion.
“I remember before AFL and NRL really nailed down Anzac Day, there was criticism about playing on Anzac Day, now that’s one of the great moments in the winter codes.
“I get a sense cricket can do that on Christmas Day … we are looking at that carefully.”
Paul Marsh, the chief of the ACA and former boss of the AFL Players’ Association, has confirmed that they are not actually standing in the way of a Christmas Day BBL match.
They have agreed to parameters that would allow a local derby (Stars versus Renegades or Sixers versus Thunder) to take place on December 25, starting at 4pm.
However, Marsh says CA doesn’t want to pull the trigger on one of their derbies.
Adam Zampa of the Renegades celebrates after taking a wicket. Getty
“I think what’s not being said is under our current agreement, they can play on Christmas Day, it just has to be one of the derbies,” he told SEN.
“There’s nothing stopping Cricket Australia playing the Stars v Renegades or the Thunder v Sixers. That was agreed before my time. Cricket Australia would rather it not be one of the derbies, so that conversation is ongoing.
“Family time is really important, we’ve got to find the balance here where we’re not taking that away from our players … but we’ll continue to talk about it.
The competition has had great success on New Year’s Eve, with the Adelaide Strikers turning that fixture into a great tradition.
Christmas Day BBL would likely become a huge ratings success, though it may struggle to draw a large live attendance given ongoing festivities.
A potential Derby would likely have to be held at Marvel Stadium, given the MCG is preparing for the Boxing Day Test.