Brisbane Heat captain Usman Khawaja says he is worried the Queensland government is turning a blind eye to the struggles Queensland Cricket and the AFL will face if they refuse to cover the Gabba redevelopment costs ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
The government is expected to spend $2.7 billion on redeveloping the Gabba for the 2032 Games, meaning the venue where the BBL and AFL are played will be unusable for four years.
To bridge the gap, the state government has announced it will build a 20,000-seat stadium at the Brisbane Showgrounds, but says it won't be able to cover the entire cost.
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Putting in only $137 million of the required funds, the government has turned to Queensland Cricket and the Brisbane Lions to make up the remaining funds, which Khawaja says will send the sports broke.
"I am very worried. It is going to be a big, big burden on Queensland Cricket," Khawaja said on Monday.
"I was a little disappointed to hear how the state government are going about it and not offering any help.
"It seems totally bizarre to me. Sport is the backbone of Queensland.
"I think they (the government) are asking for us (Brisbane Heat) and the Brisbane Lions to put in about $100 million into that, and you don't even own the complex.
"It's like renting a home for $100 million and you don't even own the home. It's a bit silly."
https://twitter.com/HeatBBL/status/1731241662071058663Khawaja expressed concern for the future of Queensland Cricket, urging the government to uphold its part of the funding agreement.
"Talking to Terry Svenson, the CEO of Queensland Cricket, it will be about $45 million we will be out of pocket over four years," Khawaja said.
"I don't know what will happen to Queensland Cricket. We will be broke in three or four years' time. Where will the money come from?
"These are serious issues that Queensland Cricket needs to discuss with the state government.
"I know there was a handshake agreement that the state government would help with the costs Queensland Cricket will incur if we are not playing Big Bash cricket here."
The 36-year-old opening Australian Test batsman suggested the Allan Border Field as a solution for cricket matches, with the venue government-funded.
"I know Queensland Cricket has asked for (financial) help for Allan Border Field, which is our second spiritual home," Khawaja said.
"We have asked for help to get 10,000 people into the field. It is an investment in Brisbane and Queensland from my point of view."
Brisbane Heat captain Usman Khawaja says he is worried the Queensland government is turning a blind eye to the struggles Queensland Cricket and the AFL will face if they refuse to cover the Gabba redevelopment costs ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
The government is expected to spend $2.7 billion on redeveloping the Gabba for the 2032 Games, meaning the venue where the BBL and AFL are played will be unusable for four years.
To bridge the gap, the state government has announced it will build a 20,000-seat stadium at the Brisbane Showgrounds, but says it won't be able to cover the entire cost.
READ MORE: Simmering state feud that could derail Aussie's cricket summer
READ MORE: 'Angry' Ange wins over Premier League greats
READ MORE: $3.2m England star brutally trolled by Iceland after loss
Putting in only $137 million of the required funds, the government has turned to Queensland Cricket and the Brisbane Lions to make up the remaining funds, which Khawaja says will send the sports broke.
"I am very worried. It is going to be a big, big burden on Queensland Cricket," Khawaja said on Monday.
"I was a little disappointed to hear how the state government are going about it and not offering any help.
"It seems totally bizarre to me. Sport is the backbone of Queensland.
"I think they (the government) are asking for us (Brisbane Heat) and the Brisbane Lions to put in about $100 million into that, and you don't even own the complex.
"It's like renting a home for $100 million and you don't even own the home. It's a bit silly."
https://twitter.com/HeatBBL/status/1731241662071058663Khawaja expressed concern for the future of Queensland Cricket, urging the government to uphold its part of the funding agreement.
"Talking to Terry Svenson, the CEO of Queensland Cricket, it will be about $45 million we will be out of pocket over four years," Khawaja said.
"I don't know what will happen to Queensland Cricket. We will be broke in three or four years' time. Where will the money come from?
"These are serious issues that Queensland Cricket needs to discuss with the state government.
"I know there was a handshake agreement that the state government would help with the costs Queensland Cricket will incur if we are not playing Big Bash cricket here."
The 36-year-old opening Australian Test batsman suggested the Allan Border Field as a solution for cricket matches, with the venue government-funded.
"I know Queensland Cricket has asked for (financial) help for Allan Border Field, which is our second spiritual home," Khawaja said.
"We have asked for help to get 10,000 people into the field. It is an investment in Brisbane and Queensland from my point of view."
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