Opinion | When the CEO of Cricket Hong Kong leaves abruptly without explanation, don’t expect positives

Clearly, there is some agreement with CHK on non-disclosure with Cutler and the body insisting that the sugary statements from April 21 would be the final say from either party. Cutler, though, must know it’s naive to presume positivity when a key figure of an organisation – one who, at face value at least, was doing a decent job – leaves/is let go suddenly and all you have to offer is silence.

Say something. He missed his family, he didn’t like the Hong Kong weather ... We would believe you, really. But when a statement refuses to divulge why that person is leaving, speculation takes hold and it’s difficult to assign it a positive spin.

The Hong Kong cricket community was stunned by the move but a number of theories have been doing the rounds as to why he had to leave.

One had to do with the Blitz, which on the surface was a major success given the number of overseas players signed up, the almost 12 million online video views worldwide and the dedicated enthusiasm from the five franchises. However, the tournament proved a major financial strain with losses said to be about HK$400,000. 

Such a loss lies at the feet of the CEO, though the groundwork from the first two editions increases the possibility of a broadcast deal for next year that would help the event to at least break even.