Australia chief Nick resigns from top post
He came into the role amid the Covid-19 pandemic after working on the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup Nick Hockley has announced he will step down as Cricket Australia chief executive in March 2025 after five years in the role.
Hockley, who has worked in a variety of positions in Australian sport for 13 years, came into the role in an interim capacity at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic when Kevin Roberts resigned following discontent over CA’s initial handling of the crisis, which included mass layoffs of staff.
He was appointed full-time in May 2021 having helped the sport progress through the 2020-21 season despite border closures, including successfully hosting a Test series against India that ensured the sport could survive financially.
The promise of a summer and our five-year strategic plan
Nick Hockley said it was a difficult decision, however with the promise of a blockbuster summer and our five-year strategic plan, it is the right time to take on another challenge, while giving the board ample time to find its next CEO, to build on the existing strong foundations.
This is not the time to say goodbye, as I am fully focused on the season ahead and supporting the board on succession and a smooth transition. Hockley’s final season in charge of CA will see the club visit India again, this time for a five-Test series, as well as hosting the Women’s Ashes in January.
Along with the pandemic, key challenges under Hockley’s watch included an affiliate standoff with broadcaster Channel Seven, which had pressed for discounts. Relations were later mended to the extent that Seven remains a long-term broadcast partner, although the new seven-year deal signed with them and Foxtel in 2023 did not significantly increase the value.
Overseeing a smooth MOU agreement
He was able to oversee a much smoother MOU agreement than in 2017 which included a big pay rise in the women’s game. Faced the controversial departure of Tim Paine as Test captain on the eve of the 2021-22 Ashes, although the transition to Pat Cummins ultimately proved smooth and successful, and an ugly split with head coach Justin Langer.
Also attempted to overturn David Warner’s lifetime leadership ban, although this failed in late 2022 when Warner angrily withdrew his case amid pressure from an independent panel to rehash what happened at Newlands in 2018.
He has been in charge during a period of significant success on the field which has seen the men’s and women’s teams win the T20 and ODI World Cups, with the men winning the World Test Championship last year and the women winning gold at the Commonwealth Games. Significantly, 2022 also saw the men’s team tour Pakistan for the first time since 1998.
Participation among South Asian communities
One of the key projects he has led in recent years has been the implementation of CA’s Multicultural Action Plan which aims to improve participation and attendance among South Asian communities. CA chairman Mike Baird said, As CEO, Nick has steered the game through a period of unprecedented challenge during the pandemic and delivered significant growth and stability.
Under Nick’s leadership, several major deals
As Nick says, his full focus is on delivering another successful summer for our fans, players, broadcasters, partners and the whole of Australian cricket and he will have time to celebrate his legacy and achievements when he steps down from this role next year.
Before his hasty promotion to the top CA role, Hockley was the chief executive of the 2020 T20 Women’s World Cup committee, which organised the record-breaking tournament in Australia. Prior to that, he worked on the 2015 men’s World Cup, before which he was also involved in the London Olympics.
CA will look for Hockley’s successor globally, although Todd Greenberg, the current CEO of the Australian Cricketers Association, would be a frontrunner if interested in the role. During his tenure, CA struck a seven-year broadcast rights deal worth $1.5 billion with Foxtel and Seven, before securing a $360 million Indian rights deal with Disney Star.
Last year, he helped CA reach a new memorandum of understanding with the Australian Cricketers Association that included a significant pay rise for the country’s professional female players.
Conclusion
Nick Hockley will step down as Cricket Australia chief executive at the end of the upcoming summer, ending his five-year term in the role. On Tuesday afternoon, CA confirmed that Hockley had advised the board that he would not continue as chief executive after March next year.
This was a difficult decision, however after the promise of a blockbuster summer and with our five-year strategic plan well underway, it is the right time to take on another challenge, while giving the Board sufficient time to find its next CEO.
This is not a time to say goodbye, as I am fully focused on the season ahead.
