Sussex Cricket enters three-year financial framework with ECB

Sussex Cricket has entered into a three-year financial framework with the ECB following a period of financial difficulty for the Club.

The framework has been agreed after sustained operating losses in the last financial year and is intended to provide stability while changes are made to strengthen how the Club is run.

As part of the agreement, Sussex Cricket will operate under enhanced financial oversight and governance arrangements. The framework also provides access to funding from the Club’s future central distributions to support short-term stability while reforms are implemented.

As a result of entering the framework, Sussex will be subject to a points sanction across the men’s professional competitions in the 2026 season. The Club will face a 12-point deduction in the County Championship and a one-point deduction in each of the two limited-overs competitions.

Interim Chief Executive Mark West said: “We fully understand how disappointing this news will be for everyone connected with Sussex Cricket.

"Since taking on the interim role at the end of last season, it has become clear that a combination of internal decisions and wider economic pressures have contributed to the position the Club finds itself in today.

"The points deductions will be an unexpected blow to the players and supporters, but we accept the ECB’s decision. We are sorry — it hasn’t been good enough. Our responsibility now is to put things right and ensure the Club is in a stronger position going forward.”

The new three-year financial framework agreed with the ECB introduces clearer financial safeguards and closer oversight. It will remain in place until 2029, and includes additional financial controls to ensure cricket operations are protected.

This includes enhanced governance and financial oversight, an independent review of the Board’s skills and effectiveness, and ECB observer rights at Board and relevant committee meetings.

There will be a player salary cap for the 2026–2028 seasons, and the club will provide the ECB with a three‑year business plan demonstrating sustainable year‑on‑year operating profits by 2027/28. 

The club has also been issued a suspended £100,000 fine, which will only be enforced if those conditions are breached. 

West added: “These measures provide assurance of a clear, sustainable pathway back to long‑term financial stability, and the loan will be fully repaid, under the terms, from future funding streams due.

“We are extremely grateful for the ECB’s support as we work through this period. This is the best possible way forward for the club, and while it has been a difficult few days for supporters, players and staff, we can now move forward positively. 

“As we look ahead to the new season, our focus is on making the club sustainable: we cannot expect to rely on central funds in the same way in the future — and any monies must be used in line with the ECB’s financial guardrails. 

“Our focus has to be on building our own revenue streams and sustainable growth on and off the field, to ultimately create an environment in which the team can thrive in all formats of the game.”