Privatisation is coming to cricket’s Big Bash League with the Melbourne Renegades confirmed as the first franchise to be sold.
But Cricket Australia (CA) says the upcoming men’s and women’s season will not be affected.
On Tuesday, CA said it had approved the sale of a 100% stake in the Renegades and to bed the new ownership down for 2027-28 seasons.
The Melbourne franchise is being run in caretaker mode by CA but recently signed up West Indies superstar Hayley Matthews for this year’s women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) season.
Cricket Australia says after the Renegades are sold, it will consider taking other clubs to market under a “self-determination” model that allows each state to decide if, or when, to sell their stakes in their Big Bash clubs.
MIXED VIEWS ON PRIVATISATION
According to CA, the Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers are reportedly keen to attract money.
Sydney teams Sixers and Thunder, Brisbane Heat and Adelaide Strikers are thought to be reluctant about privatisation of their teams.
CA says a name change for the Renegades could happen but requires their approval.
They will retain control over international schedules, player availability, salary caps, media rights, the right of veto over potential investors and set a reserve price.
CA will also be holding “constructive” talks with the states and the Australian Cricketers’ Association while the sale of the Renegades proceeds.
PRIVATE MONEY NEEDED, SAYS BAIRD
Chairman and former NSW Premier Mike Baird said at a press conference on Tuesday that “opening the door” to private investment will help strengthen the game’s future in the face of rich offers made to players from other countries.
“The opportunity is to compete with the other leagues that their salary levels, in some cases, are higher or significantly higher,” he says.
CA chief executive Todd Greenberg says players will remain centrally contracted to the governing body despite privatisation.
“We’ve anchored the Boxing Day Test, the Sydney Test into this schedule right through to the end of our (broadcast) contractual obligations in 2032,” he says.
“Every time we play a Big Bash game straight after a Test match, they’re our highest rating games so there’s some significant commercial value to consider how we keep our summer.”
The new WBBL season begins on October 29 as the Renegades take on Thunder in Melbourne while the BBL season begins on December 12 in Chennai, India, between the Renegades and Scorchers.
Meanwhile, former England captain Ben Stokes has signed with Adelaide for the new BBL season, CA announced. The now 35-year-old first played in the League for the Renegades 11 years ago.
