After five years in the position, Nick Hockley has stated he will leave Cricket Australia as CEO in March 2025.
Having worked in the Australian gaming industry for 13 years in a variety of roles, Hockley first assumed the post in an acting capacity during the early stages of the Covid-19 outbreak, following Kevin Roberts’ resignation due to dissatisfaction with CA’s first handling of the problem, which included a widespread staff walkout.
He was given a full-time position in May 2021 after assisting the sport in navigating the 2020–21 season in the face of border closures. Among other things, he helped the sport stage the Test series against India, which was crucial to its financial survival.
“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,” Hockley said.
“This is not the time for goodbyes, as I remain completely focussed on the season ahead and supporting the Board on succession and a smooth transition.”
India will return to the country for a five-Test series during Hockley’s final season as captain of the Canterbury English cricket team. In addition, the Women’s Ashes will be hosted in January.
The main issues under Hockley’s supervision, in addition to the pandemic, was a related dispute with broadcaster Channel Seven, who insisted on a price reduction. Although the new seven-year contract negotiated with them and Foxtel in 2023 did not result in a major increase in value, relationships were eventually restored to the point where Seven has remained a long-term broadcast partner.
But in contrast to 2017, he was able to supervise a far more seamless Memorandum of Understanding that featured significant salary increases for women’s tennis.
Hockley had to deal with the contentious dismissal of Test captain Tim Paine on the eve of the 2021–22 Ashes, despite the eventual successful and seamless transfer to Pat Cummins, and a contentious breakup with head coach Justin Langer.
In late 2022, Hockley made an unsuccessful attempt to have David Warner’s lifetime leadership ban reversed. Warner abandoned his appeal in response to pressure from an impartial tribunal to repeat the events at Newlands in 2018.
Under his leadership, the team has experienced tremendous success on the pitch, with both the men’s and women’s teams winning World Cups in T20 and ODI, the men winning the World Test Championship the previous year, and the ladies winning gold at the Commonwealth Games. Notably, the men’s team visited Pakistan in 2022 for the first time since 1998.
The execution of CA’s Multicultural Action Plan, which aims to increase involvement and attendance among the South Asian community, has been one of the important projects he has led recently.
“As CEO, Nick navigated the sport through a period of unprecedented challenge during the pandemic and has delivered significant growth and stability,” CA chair Mike Baird said. “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.”
Hockley was the chief executive of the 2020 T20 Women’s World Cup committee, which organised the tournament in Australia that set records, before he was promoted quickly to the top CA position. He has previously participated in the London Olympics and worked on the 2015 Men’s World Cup.
Although Todd Greenberg, the current CEO of the Australia Cricketers’ Association, will probably be a front-runner if he is interested in the position, CA will look throughout the world for Hockley’s replacement.