Nick Hockley is set to step down as chair of the Cricket Australia (CA) governing body next March after five years in the role.
Earlier this week, it was announced that Hockley, who was appointed to the position full-time in May 2021 (following around 12 months in temporary charge), would be moving aside in early 2025.
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He took the role on an interim basis in June 2020 following the resignation of previous CEO Kevin Roberts, and since then has had to negotiate CA’s progress through several crises and challenges.
One of these was a significant disagreement early in his tenure with domestic broadcaster Seven Network, which pushed hard for a discount in rights fees when competitions and matches were impacted in terms of player availability by Covid-19.
The relationship with Seven ended up – at least on the surface – being repaired, and indeed Seven and Foxtel signed major seven-year broadcast deals with CA in early 2023.
CA also successfully negotiated a new five-year revenue-sharing memorandum of understanding with the Australian Cricketers Association last April.
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By GlobalDataThat deal provides significant increases to player payments, especially across women's cricket.
Hockley said: “This was a difficult decision, however, following what promises to be a blockbuster summer and with our five-year strategic plan well progressed, this is the right time to pursue another challenge, while giving the board plenty of time to find its next CEO to build on the strong foundations now in place.
“This is not the time for goodbyes, as I remain completely focused on the season ahead and supporting the board on succession and a smooth transition.”
Mike Baird, chair at CA, added: “As CEO, Nick navigated the sport through a period of unprecedented challenge during the pandemic and has delivered significant growth and stability. Under Nick's leadership, several major deals are now in place – many for the next seven years – and the game is set up for continued success.
“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 there will be time to celebrate his legacy and achievements when he steps down from the role next year.”
It has been reported that Todd Greenberg, chief executive at the Australia Cricketers’ Association (and former CEO of the National Rugby League), is a frontrunner for the job.
Before his time at CA, Hockley had been chief executive of the International Cricket Council's Twenty20 Women's World Cup in Australia four years ago.
He also held a role at the London Olympic Games in 2012.
