Breaking: Cricket Australia agrees to bring private investment to Big Bash

Cricket Australia will begin opening the Big Bash Leagues to private investment with the sale of the Melbourne Renegades, a move that could reshape ownership across Australia’s franchise T20 competitions.

“

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.

The Cricket Australia board announced the decision on Tuesday. It hopes the Renegades will play under new ownership from the 2027/28 Big Bash season. The outcome of that sale will determine whether other franchises also go to market.

Cricket Australia said any future sales would follow a self-determination model. Under that approach, each state member could assess the best path for its own club and community. The governing body said it and its members would retain control over international scheduling, player availability, salary caps in the Big Bash Leagues, branding proposals, the reserve price for each operating licence and investor approval.

“

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.

Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird called the Renegades process “a defining moment for the game”. He said it would allow the organisation to take the first step toward a model that gives its members greater control. Baird also said private investment could help cricket grow from community participation and grassroots programs to domestic and international pathways and the elite 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.

The issue has been debated for months. Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg said in May that private investment was “inevitable”, while Cricket Victoria brought the Renegades into the spotlight in June with plans to sell the franchise. Baird said the decision followed months of analysis, discussion and collaboration, as Cricket Australia seeks to strengthen the Big Bash and secure the sport’s long-term future in Australia.

“

Inevitable