Cricket Australia (CA) won’t go ahead with privatising the Big Bash League (BBL) and the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) ahead of the 2026-27 season. Two weeks ago, Cricket Victoria (CV) announced the rebranding of the Melbourne Stars and the sale of the Melbourne Renegades licence. The news had created ripples in Australian cricket.
BBL privatisation put on hold
However, following a meeting between CA and all State heads or their representatives on June 15, the privatisation has been put on hold. The Stars and Renegades will feature in the BBL and WBBL 2026-27 season, with the contracted players continuing. For the unversed, CA had placed an embargo on player signing for all eight franchises, and that will continue. The schedule for the events will be announced in July.
“Due to the extended timeline for a decision on BBL privatisation, we have made the decision not to go ahead with our vision of a rebranded team for the upcoming season. We want to acknowledge the passion, loyalty and pride you have shown in this club, and we look forward to seeing you at a game this summer,” the Renegades and Stars said in identical emails on June 16.
Cricket Australia’s next step
It was expected that the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise owners would invest in the BBL and WBBL, considering they have already acquired franchises in the Major League Cricket, The Hundred, the SA20, the Caribbean Premier League, and the International League T20. However, CA must meet a few conditions before the next stage of privatisation commences.
- CA and all states agreeing on a new structure of governance after adoption of the new operating model
- Agreement between CA and Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA)
- Future funding and distribution agreements between CA and all states
After agreeing on these matters, the next objective will be to test the market and secure valuations. Cricket Victoria will most likely start the privatisation process since they’ve already applied to trademark 3 potential names for their rebranded ‘Melbourne’ team: Rangers, Magic and Blazers.
It’s also expected the new ‘Melbourne’ team will don a blue and white jersey, similar to Victoria’s one-day team. The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), which serves as the Stars’ base right now, will belong to them going forward.
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