# Cricket Australia approves BBL privatisation model > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/cricket-australia-bbl-contracting-and-privatisation > Updated: 2026-09-11T23:25:15.000Z. Sources: 19. Developments: 3. Cricket Australia has officially approved a privatisation model for the Big Bash League (BBL) and Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). The process begins with the sale of a 100 per cent stake in the Melbourne Renegades, with the goal of establishing new ownership by the 2027-28 season. During this transition, Cricket Australia will manage the Renegades in a caretaker capacity while retaining control over media rights, salary caps, player availability, and international scheduling. The new ‘self-determination’ model allows individual state associations to decide whether to seek private investment. While the Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Stars, and Perth Scorchers have reportedly expressed interest, the move has faced significant opposition from Cricket NSW, which argues that privatisation risks the strategic and financial health of the sport and could reduce funding for grassroots cricket. This structural shift has also reignited tensions with the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA). The players’ association has initiated a dispute resolution process to address concerns regarding how revenue from club sales is calculated and distributed. Specifically, the ACA is questioning whether the windfalls from these sales should be included in the players’ 27.5 per cent share of ‘Australian Cricket Revenue’. Cricket Australia maintains that the decision is necessary to secure the long-term future of the game and remain competitive against global T20 leagues, assuring stakeholders that it will retain control over key elements to ensure Test cricket remains the primary priority. In response to the plan, Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird has defended the move as a way to attract external investment and grow television audiences, media rights, and match attendances. To compete with emerging leagues in South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, the salary pool for BBL squads has been increased from $1.9 million to over $3 million. ## Claims - Cricket Australia has approved the privatisation of the Big Bash League. (corroborated by 3 sources) - State cricket bodies will have the option to sell stakes in their teams to private investors. (corroborated by 3 sources) - New South Wales and Queensland have opposed the privatisation plan. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Melbourne Renegades will operate in caretaker mode this season and are expected to be sold and rebranded. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Perth Scorchers will be floated on the open market to fund the WACA Ground redevelopment. (single source) - The plan aims to generate hundreds of millions of dollars for grassroots cricket and players. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-11: Cricket Australia defends Big Bash League privatisation plans Cricket Australia is defending plans to privatise Big Bash League franchises to attract investment and compete with emerging global T20 leagues. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cricket-australia-defends-big-bash-league-privatisation-plans ### 2026-09-08: Cricket Australia approves Big Bash League privatisation Cricket Australia has approved a privatisation model for the Big Bash League, starting with the sale of the Melbourne Renegades, despite strong opposition from Cricket NSW and player associations. 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cricket-australia-approves-big-bash-league-privatisation ### 2026-08-14: Cricket Australia faces BBL contracting deadlock and privatisation talks Cricket Australia faces a contracting deadlock with the ACA over revenue sharing for the BBL and WBBL, while simultaneously advancing plans for league privatisation and potential expansion to ten teams. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cricket-australia-faces-bbl-contracting-deadlock-and-privatisation-talks --- Cite as: Cricket Australia approves BBL privatisation model. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/cricket-australia-bbl-contracting-and-privatisation