BREAKING: CA announces ‘$1 billion’ BBL shake-up in star-studded SCG reveal
CA pushes ahead with BBL sell-off | 06:52
Dane Heverin from Fox SportsSeptember 8th, 2026 2:08 pm
Cricket Australia has officially welcomed private ownership to the Big Bash League after months of back and forth between the states and the national body over the domestic T20 competition’s future.
In a press conference at the SCG on Tuesday afternoon, CA confirmed reports that the Australian cricket landscape is set to drastically change with the partial sale of stakes in the eight BBL and WBBL teams.
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Australian men’s and women’s captains Pat Cummins
Australian men’s and women’s captains Pat Cummins and Sophie Molineux, superstars Ellyse Perry and Travis Head, CA chair Mike Baird and CA chief executive Todd Greenberg were all at the SCG to address the media for the announcement.
CA’s board reportedly gave the privatisation push their approval at a board meeting on Monday night.
The presence of Cummins, Molineux, Perry and Head was a strong symbolic gesture given their had been backlash from the Australian Cricketers’ Association behind the scenes.
There had also been considerable push back
There had also been considerable push back from New South Wales and Queensland, but a ‘self-determination’ privatisation model has been approved.
“This may be the biggest strategic decision Australian cricket makes in a generation,” Greenberg told reporters in Sydney.
“This is ultimately a billion dollar opportunity for our sport. And to put that back into players, but importantly the rest of cricket – the grassroots and participation areas for us to continue to grow the game. That’s a significant part of this decision.
Private capital is not new in sport, it’s
“Private capital is not new in sport, it’s not new globally and it’s not new in cricket, but the opportunity to bring private capital into cricket – both for the capital and the capability – has the ability to shape cricket like never before.”
Reports on privatisation came to a head in June when Cricket Victoria unveiled its plan to sell off the Melbourne Renegades and to keep the Melbourne Stars, but to rebrand the MCG-based team as potentially the Rangers in a nod to the old Bushrangers nickname for the men’s state team.
CA confirmed it would invite bids from private owners for a 100 per cent stake in the Melbourne Renegades, with new ownership in place for the 2027-28 WBBL and BBL seasons.
The sale process will not affect the coming
The sale process will not affect the coming WBBL or BBL seasons this summer, with the Renegades being run in caretaker mode by CA.
Once the Renegades licence has been sold, CA will then consider taking other clubs to market under a “self-determination” model, which allows each state to make its own decision if and when to sell stakes in their Big Bash clubs.
The Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers are the other clubs understood to be keen to bring in private investment.
Cricket NSW’s two Sydney-based teams – the Sixers
Cricket NSW’s two Sydney-based teams – the Sixers and Thunder – as well as the Brisbane Heat and Adelaide Strikers are all understood to be reluctant to proceed with private investment at this stage.
While Baird said in a statement: “Cricket Australia and its State members are united in our commitment to investing in and growing the BBL and WBBL, and to advancing the interests of cricket at every level.
“By opening the door to private investment in the Big Bash Leagues, Cricket Australia is taking a deliberate step to strengthen and secure the long-term future of the game, accelerate growth and ensuring we can keep investing in community cricket and grassroots participation, domestic and international pathways and the elite level.
Beginning the sales process for the Renegades allows
“Beginning the sales process for the Renegades allows us to take the first step in a self-determination model for our members and represents a defining moment for the game.
“Importantly, CA and its members will maintain control over the most significant aspects of Australian Cricket operations, including international scheduling, player availability, the Big Bash Leagues salary caps, branding proposals as well as the reserve price for a licence to operate that must be achieved, and approval of investors.
“This is a significant decision that has involved an enormous amount of analysis, discussion and collaboration over many months. I’d like to thank all involved as we move to what we believe is the best way to secure cricket’s future in this country, strengthen the Big Bash and protect our standing on the global stage.”
Source: www.foxsports.com.au
