Full Breakdown
Cricket Australia Approves Opt-In Privatisation Model for the Big Bash League
By Drooid · · How we work
Decision to Allow Private Investment
On September 6, Cricket Australia announced an opt-in model that lets state associations explore private investment in their Big Bash League (BBL) franchises. Under the plan, states may sell up to 49 percent of a team’s equity, while the Melbourne Renegades have been invited to the market for a full-ownership sale that could be completed by the end of the year. The valuation process will be overseen by merchant bank Raine Group, and Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg has suggested the potential investor interest could be worth around one billion dollars, though he treats the figure as indicative rather than final.
State Positions on the Model
Cricket New South Wales has been the most vocal opponent, arguing that the league can already attract top international talent without ownership changes. Queensland Cricket also expressed reservations, stating it intends to retain 100 percent ownership of the Brisbane Heat while remaining open to private investment at a later stage. In contrast, Cricket Victoria announced its support and plans to be the first to sell a licence, with the Melbourne Renegades slated for a full sale. Tasmania and Western Australia have similarly signalled backing for the privatisation approach.
Official Rationale
Todd Greenberg framed the decision as essential for the BBL to remain competitive with overseas T20 competitions such as The Hundred in the United Kingdom and SA20 in South Africa. He argued that waiting two or four years would be a poor strategy for a small cricketing nation operating in a fast-moving global environment, and that private capital could help the league keep pace with larger salary caps and player movement.
What’s Next
The Melbourne Renegades sale is expected to conclude by year-end, with new ownership projected to take effect for the 2027-28 BBL and Women’s BBL seasons. Negotiations between Cricket Australia and the state associations will continue ahead of the upcoming BBL16 and WBBL12 campaigns, which are likely to be the final seasons featuring the original eight franchises.