FTSIS 08: Burnham 'uneasy' about Stanford Series- 5 Nov 2008 00:00:00
Andy Burnham MP, Secretary of State, Dept of Culture, Media and Sport, said that the Stanford Series made him feel “uneasy” during an interview at The FT Sport Industry Summit 2008 in association with the Honda Racing F1 Team's earthdreams programme.
Addressing a full room of industry delegates, Burnham said, “The occasion was somewhat hollow,” adding comments about the how the integrity of cricket – and all sport – can be challenged due to a large amount of money offered.
The statement followed a week after England lost in the Stanford Series in which the winners would take home $20m.
Burnham claimed that when a high-profile sport event is done with the proper business sponsorship and organisation, then it can succeed.
Over the last week, the Series has been criticised for, among other issues, improper equipment, such as floodlights, problems with the pitch, and questionable behaviour by Stanford himself.
Burnham told the industry that “cricket fans want to watch games where the national pride is at stake and not where the money is at stake.”
He added: “Sport has an integrity where there’s national pride first … and when it’s playing second fiddle to money I think it starts to detract.”
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