Sussex enter three-year financial framework agreement for ECB funding

Sussex County Cricket Club has entered a three-year financial framework agreement to access exceptional funding from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). The agreement, under the ECB's Exceptional Funding Policy, was established after the club approached the board for support due to significant operating losses, missed revenue targets, and an unsustainable cost base.

The ECB stated: "As part of the framework, the ECB has agreed to provide Sussex Cricket with a structured loan, repayable in full by 31 January 2029. This is intended to provide short-term stability while the Club delivers the changes required to operate on a more sustainable footing."

Sussex Cricket has agreed to several conditions and will be subject to a set of penalties.

Richard Gould, ECB Chief Executive Officer:
"The County network is the bedrock of cricket in our communities, and its contribution is vital to the future success of cricket in England and Wales. Professional Counties are allocated significant funding every year through the County Partnership Agreement, and it is essential that all counties have viable business plans to ensure their financial sustainability. The aim of approving exceptional funding through this agreement is to provide Sussex with the time to correct their underlying issues and for the ECB ensure that all counties are treated fairly."

Mark West, Interim Chief Executive of Sussex Cricket:
"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 unsuccessful growth plans and wider economic pressures have contributed to the position the Club finds itself in today. We acknowledge that this has not been good enough. Our responsibility now is to put things right, strengthen how the Club is run, and ensure Sussex Cricket moves forward on a more stable and sustainable footing."