Cricket Australia to Allow Private Investment in Big Bash League

Cricket Australia announced on Tuesday (September 8, 2026) that it will introduce private investment into the Big Bash League starting with the 2027-28 season. The Melbourne Renegades will become the first franchise to undergo a sales process under a new self-determination model for state members.

Australian professional cricket is entering a distinct era. Cricket Australia confirmed a formal policy shift that opens the domestic T20 competition to private ownership, setting up a test case for how privately funded franchises will operate alongside traditional state-run boards.

The Renegades Sale and the Self-Determination Model

The board will invite bids from private investors for the Melbourne franchise, with the explicit goal of having new owners in place for the 2027-28 summer. Unlike sweeping overhauls discussed in previous years, subsequent team sales will follow what leadership terms a self-determination model that gives each state member the ability to assess the optimal pathway for its own club and community. Pending the result of that process, CA will consider taking other clubs to market under this model.

“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.”

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Mike Baird, Cricket Australia Chairman

The Renegades, BBL champions in the 2018-19 season, are owned by Cricket Victoria, which backed CA’s original plan.

Earlier Privatization Plans and Financial Realities

An earlier CA privatisation proposal, which would have allowed the sale of 49% of BBL franchises and 100% of a team from those states which have two, was scuppered in April by the cricket boards of New South Wales and Queensland. CA had hoped to raise up to A$600 million ($432.48 million) from its initial privatisation plan to safeguard the future of the sport, boost its finances and improve its competitiveness in the booming T20 market. Despite a revenue boost from hosting a lucrative five-test series against cricket’s financial powerhouse India, CA reported a net deficit of A$11.3 million for the 2024-25 financial year.

Boundaries of Control and Safeguards for Australian Operations

Influential figures in Australian cricket have voiced opposition to opening the league to private money, saying it could mean a damaging loss of local control. Some of the concerns stemmed from the growing global footprint of Indian Premier League franchise owners, who now control or hold stakes in T20 teams in England, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and the West Indies.

Cricket Australia to Allow Private Investment in Big Bash League — Photo: Cricbuzz

CA Chief Executive Todd Greenberg said in May that he thought those fears were overblown. India are such a huge part of cricket, but we're not looking to sell the game to India. That's it, full stop, he told SEN radio, adding, We are looking to add value to our clubs and bring good partners in, and the decision on who those partners are is at the behest of the states. To maintain local integrity, the governing body has placed strict operational guardrails around the bidding process.

Leadership emphasized that state boards will retain authority over essential operational pillars. According to Cricket Australia, 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.

Global Context and the Chennai Season Opener

Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced in July that December’s BBL season opener between the Renegades and Perth Scorchers would take place in the Indian city of Chennai. The bidding window for the Renegades is now open, marking the formal start of a high-stakes transition for Australian cricket.