BBL for sale! Cricket Australia all set to follow The Hundred model - IPL takeover incoming?

Cricket Australia (CA) is considering the possibility of allowing private investment in the Big Bash League (BBL), following the example of English cricket, which recently secured $2 billion through team share sales in The Hundred. An independent review recommended that CA explore selling minority ownership stakes.

Cricket Australia’s move to sell stakes in BBL teams aims to boost its financial reserves, targeting over $100 million. State associations are also facing financial challenges, with states like New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland not earning direct revenue from their home grounds.

Meanwhile, the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) has been identified as needing major upgrades to enhance spectator experience and accommodate future drop-in pitches.

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Cricket Australia Considers Major BBL Overhaul Following Recommendation

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Cricket Australia is considering a major shift in its business model that could reshape the landscape of the Big Bash League, following a recommendation by the Boston Consulting Group.

If the board chooses to sell minority stakes in BBL teams to private investors, it would mark the most transformative change in Australian cricket since Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket in 1977.

Major T20 leagues such as the IPL, South Africa’s SA20, and the UAE’s ILT20 are already owned by corporate entities and have attracted interest from global tech firms and private equity. In contrast, Cricket Australia has retained full ownership of BBL teams and has previously resisted private investment.

Cricket Australia Resisted Private Ownership Due to BBL-Test Season Clash

Cricket Australia has avoided private ownership of BBL teams due to scheduling conflicts. The BBL takes place during the home Test season. However, private investors would likely push for a separate window that allows Australia’s Test players to participate fully.

Such a reshuffle of the summer cricket calendar could disrupt broadcast agreements. A recent review by Boston Consulting Group, presented to CA chair Mike Baird and state chairs via video conference, recommended selling minority stakes in BBL teams.

The move could help the league raise funds to offer more competitive salaries, making it a more attractive destination for top international talent who currently favor higher-paying leagues.

Relocation of Thunder and Renegades to Singapore or New Zealand Under Discussion

The report states that Cricket Australia is being urged to delay expanding the Big Bash League until it secures private investment by selling stakes in its existing teams. While CA officials are still considering the proposal, discussions have also emerged about a potential overhaul of the league’s structure.

Among the ideas being considered is the relocation of current franchises, the Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Renegades, to new markets such as Singapore or New Zealand. Canberra has also expressed interest, backed strongly by Cricket ACT chairman Greg Boorer.

The motivation behind these changes is to revitalize the BBL, which has lost prominence to more lucrative T20 leagues in South Africa and the UAE. One alternative approach being discussed is expanding by issuing new club licences instead of selling shares in existing teams.

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