Cricket Australia’s plan to introduce private investment into the Big Bash League has hit an early roadblock, with the Australian Cricketers Association (ACA) warning that several major issues must be resolved before any franchise sale can be completed.
CA confirmed on Tuesday that private investment will be introduced in both the Big Bash League (BBL) and Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). The Melbourne Renegades have become the first franchise to enter the sales process, with CA aiming to have a private owner in place from the 2027-28 season.
However, ACA chief executive Paul Marsh made it clear that the announcement does not mean the sale can proceed immediately.
“We note Cricket Australia’s announcement today regarding the proposed introduction of private investment into the Big Bash Leagues, including the commencement of a sales process for the Melbourne Renegades,” Marsh said in a statement.
“Today’s announcement does not alter the key requirements that must be satisfied before any sale can proceed.”
ACA and Cricket Australia ‘a long way apart’
The key dispute centres on a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Cricket Australia and the ACA, along with revised player-contracting arrangements that would account for the arrival of private team owners.
“A new Memorandum of Understanding and new player contracting arrangements, potentially involving new team owners, must first be negotiated and agreed between the ACA and CA,” Marsh said.
“Significant issues remain unresolved and the parties are currently a long way apart on a new agreement.”
The ACA is not opposed to private investment itself. Instead, the players’ body wants clarity on how the new ownership model will affect player earnings and the distribution of money generated by franchise sales.
Revenue sharing emerges as major sticking point
Under the existing 2023-28 MoU, Australian players receive 27.5% of Australian Cricket Revenue, along with a potential 2.5% performance pool.
The proposed sale of BBL franchises has raised questions over whether proceeds from those transactions should be considered part of cricket revenue and therefore be included in the players’ share.
The ACA has reportedly sought an increase in the players’ revenue share to as much as 33% under a new agreement. Cricket Australia and the state associations, however, are concerned about the potential impact of such an increase on funding across Australian cricket.
The issue could become even more significant given estimates that leading BBL franchises could attract valuations approaching A$200 million.
Melbourne Renegades first franchise on sale
The Melbourne Renegades are the first team to be put on the market under CA’s new model. The sale covers both the men’s BBL and women’s WBBL teams.
Importantly, private ownership will not necessarily apply to all eight BBL franchises. Individual state associations will have the option to pursue private investment for their respective teams.
That means CA can begin engaging potential investors for the Renegades while other franchises could enter similar processes later.
However, the ACA’s intervention highlights that the commercial process is only one part of the equation. A new agreement covering players’ rights, contracts and financial arrangements still needs to be negotiated.
ACA remains open to private investment
Despite the strong warning, Marsh said the players’ association remains willing to negotiate.
“The ACA remains open-minded about private investment in the Big Bash Leagues and committed to negotiating in good faith with CA to ensure any future model delivers positive outcomes for both the game and its players,” he said.
For now, Cricket Australia has formally opened the door to private ownership in the BBL and WBBL. But before the first franchise deal is completed, CA and the ACA will have to bridge a significant gap over player contracts and how the financial gains from the new model are shared.
