Cricket Australia's plan to sell stakes in Big Bash League franchises has been put on hold after Queensland joined New South Wales in rejecting the original proposal. Queensland Cricket, which controls the Brisbane Heat, backed Cricket NSW's opposition to selling up to 49% of each franchise to private owners, with valuations of up to $200 million per team.
Victoria, Western Australia and Tasmania had supported the privatisation plans, while South Australia was open to the idea for other states but wanted to maintain control of the Adelaide Strikers. The revolt from two state associations leaves the future of the T20 league uncertain from the 2027-28 season.
CA chief executive Todd Greenberg said he would have tested the market if five of six states supported the proposal. Instead, he will explore South Australia's preferred model, where some states bring in private capital now and others join later. 'Option A for us has always been to do it at the same time to extract maximum value, but clearly we're not at that point,' Greenberg said on Thursday.
Greenberg said it will be business as usual for the BBL next season while CA explores ways to raise additional revenue and compete with global white-ball competitions like The Hundred in the UK, which raised £520 million ($1 billion) last year. He noted some states are interested in IPL franchises buying stakes, while others are not.
Greenberg flatly rejected NSW's alternative funding model involving increased gambling revenue. 'Our view is that's not a step the sport would accept, to back itself on wagering, is not a way to fund the game,' he said. He added that private investment is inevitable for Australian cricket to compete globally, and it could lead to changes in franchise colours and branding.
