Cricket Australia has confirmed a landmark move to privatise the Big Bash League, beginning with the sale of the Melbourne Renegades. The announcement marks the first step in opening the competition to private investment.
Cricket Australia on Tuesday announced a groundbreaking decision by revealing that private investment would be allowed in its premier domestic T20 franchise competition, the Big Bash League (BBL). The board also confirmed the launch of the Melbourne Renegades franchise’s sale process as the first step toward the major change.
As the BBL continues to gain global popularity, CA announced a revolutionary step to shake up the sport. The decision to privatise the Big Bash League has finally been confirmed in the presence of star players Pat Cummins, Sophie Molineux, Travis Head and Ellyse Perry at the SCG.
BBL’s Renegades franchise put up for sale by CAย ย
Cricket Australia has invited bids from private owners for the Renegades franchise, with the board expecting new leadership from the 2027-28 BBL and WBBL seasons. The process, however, will not affect the upcoming WBBL or BBL seasons, as the franchise would be run by CA in caretaker mode.
Once the Renegades licence is sold, CA will look at taking other clubs to market under a ‘self-determination’ model, allowing every team to decide if and when to sell stakes in its BBL franchise.
As of now, the BBL franchises are divided over the privatisation model, with clubs such as Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers keen to bring private investment, while the Sydney Sixers, Thunder, Brisbane Heat and Adelaide Strikers are reluctant.
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While the Renegades licence is up for sale, the CA would still maintain control over international scheduling, player availability, salary caps, branding proposals and media rights.
“CA will also have power to approve or veto potential investors and set the reserve price that must be achieved,” the statement said.
Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird said the decision was a ‘deliberate step’ to secure the long-term future of the sport.
“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,” Baird said, as quoted in the statement.
The 2026-27 Big Bash League will kick off on December 12, 2026, with the Melbourne Renegades facing the Perth Scorchers.