Cricket Australia to green light BBL privatisation despite opposition from NSW and Qld

The Big Bash League will be partially privatised, in what looms as one of the most significant shake-ups of Australian cricket in decades.

Cricket Australia will defy heavyweight states New South Wales and Queensland to forge ahead with plans to allow states to explore sell-offs of 49 per cent stakes in their BBL franchises.

The decision to proceed was effectively made at a Cricket Australia board meeting last week, and will be officially green lit on Monday night.

It is understood a formal announcement will be made by Cricket Australia on Tuesday, in concert with several superstars of Australian cricket — a coup, given some initial pushback from the Australian Cricketers’ Association.

However, there remains several details to be ironed out between the ACA and the CA, which has argued, amongst other things, for a greater share of revenue for its players.

The ACA insists it’s supportive of privatisation as long as the long-term interests of the game are protected.

The players’ union will continue to negotiate with Cricket Australia over, among other things, just how big a slice of the pie the players will receive. 

This will form part of a new memorandum of understanding between the two parties.

Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia are in support of the decision, that will allow states to undertake a market sounding process for the sale of 49 per cent stakes in their teams.

But power states New South Wales and Queensland remain opposed to the plan and will undoubtedly be rankled by Cricket Australia’s decision to press ahead without them fully on board.

South Australia remains lukewarm on the concept but is more open to the idea than New South Wales or Queensland.

New South Wales has long believed an injection of private equity would largely amount to a sugar hit, and broader structural reform is needed to ensure Cricket Australia’s financial viability into the future.

Cricket New South Wales has been contacted for comment.

In contrast, Cricket Australia believe that privatisation of the BBL will allow the league to keep pace with rival competitions around the world, with proceeds to be spread throughout the broader Australian cricket ecosystem.

Transactions could be complete before the start of next season.

It is likely that prospective international team owners will be courted across the upcoming summer, with potential buyers expected to be in Australia to cast their eye over this year’s BBL tournament.

In June, the privatisation process was accelerated when Cricket Victoria pre-emptively made plans to sell the Melbourne Renegades, while retaining the Melbourne Stars licence.

Several state CEOs recently travelled to India and the UK to connect with prospective buyers, ahead of being given formal approval to commence a sell-off process by Cricket Australia.