The Big Bash League (BBL), Australia’s premier T20 competition, could soon undergo a major change. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Cricket Australia (CA) is considering selling stakes in BBL teams to private investors, following a review by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
The move could be pulled off to modernize the competition and bring it closer in line with other global franchise leagues like the IPL, SA20 (South Africa) and ILT20 (UAE), which are privately owned and have attracted significant investment from Indian companies and private equity groups.
Why privatization is being considered
The BCG report stated that while the BBL remains stable, it lags behind rival leagues in player salaries and star power. Private investment would allow the BBL to:
- Offer higher wages to attract the world’s best T20 players.
- Invest in grassroots cricket and infrastructure upgrades.
- Build financial reserves, targeting over $100 million in funds.
Recent examples like England’s The Hundred, where stakes in franchises raised around $2 billion, have encouraged CA to explore this route.
One major sticking point remains scheduling. The BBL runs alongside Australia’s Test summer, which is a broadcaster preference, but private owners are expected to push for a separate window so that Test stars like Pat Cummins and Steve Smith can play the full season. If the league is privatised, the owners will make sure that the star-studded names play the entire league.
Additionally, there are debates over expansion. Suggestions include relocating struggling teams like Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Renegades to new markets such as Singapore, New Zealand or Canberra, instead of adding new franchises straight away.
CA’s board will continue discussions later this year, with chairman Mike Baird and CEO Todd Greenberg keen to build consensus before a final decision is taken.
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