Cricket Australia mulls privatisation of BBL after review of current model

‌The privatisation of the Big Bash League seems closer than ever after the Boston Consulting Group recommended the same in a report to Cricket Australia reviewing the current model. The BCG had submitted the review report early this week, with CA expected to discuss it further before coming up with the changes.

The report becomes crucial with the Big Bash League being one of the best franchise leagues in the world, along with the Indian Premier League and The Hundred. With the IPL starting with private ownership from its very first season and The Hundred moving towards privatisation, it was about time for the premier franchise league in Australia to follow suit.

"The success of the T20 format has been a huge boost for the game globally in attracting new audiences and increasing participation," Greenberg said. "We need to ensure that the Big Bash remains among the world's top sporting competitions.

"We will now undertake an exploratory process of the recommendations in this report to ensure any action we take achieves this potential and is in the best interests of Australian Cricket and cricket fans."

Another important challenge for BBL has been the availability of the top Australian Test stars since the league clashes with the country’s Test summer from November to January. The current season of the BBL is scheduled to start on December 14, three days before the third Ashes Test against England in Adelaide.

Though there will be a clear window for the league after the Ashes ends this season, Australia will travel to India for a Test series in January 2027. So discussions are also on to advance the BBL calendar in its future editions.

"It is very important to understand that no decisions have yet been made, and that any action taken will be for the benefit of the BBL, WBBL, fans and Australian Cricket more broadly," CA chair Mike Baird said. "That would include providing strong benefits across the game, including investment in participation initiatives and player development."