Big Bash privatisation confirmed as CA approves Renegades sale

Cricket Australia has given the green light to private investment in the Big Bash Leagues, confirming the launch of the sale process for the Melbourne Renegades.

CA on Tuesday confirmed it would invite bids from private owners for a 100 per cent stake in the Renegades, with new ownership in place for the 2027-28 WBBL and BBL seasons.

The sale process will not affect the coming WBBL or BBL seasons this summer, with the Renegades being run in caretaker mode by CA. The club this week signed West Indies international superstar Hayley Matthews for this year's WBBL season.

It's understood CA's merchant bank Raine Group will begin formally making contact with potential investors this week, with an expectation the sale of the Renegades franchise could be completed by Christmas.

Once the Renegades licence has been sold, CA will then consider taking other clubs to market under a "self-determination" model, which allows each state to make its own decision if and when to sell stakes in their Big Bash clubs.

The Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers are the other clubs understood to be keen to bring in private investment.

Cricket NSW's two Sydney-based teams – the Sixers and Thunder – as well as the Brisbane Heat and Adelaide Strikers are all understood to be reluctant to proceed with private investment at this stage.

However, the 'self-determination' model would allow those states the option of exploring that in future.

What is for sale?

 

A 100 per cent stake of the licence currently known as the Melbourne Renegades to operate WBBL and BBL teams

 

Will the team still be called Melbourne Renegades?

 

That remains unclear. If new investors do want to change the name, colours or other aspect of the Renegades brand, it will be subject to approval by CA. States would control this for any future sales.

 

What is not for sale?

 

CA will retain 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.

CA must also continue what it termed "constructive discussions" with the States and the Australian Cricketers' Association while the sale of the Renegades proceeds.

CA chair Mike Baird said in a statement the governing body would retain control over international scheduling, player availability, salary caps and media rights.

CA will also retain powers to approve or veto potential investors as well as set the (undisclosed) reserve price that must be achieved.

Under the sales process, changes to club names, colours and branding would need to be approved by CA in the case of the Renegades, and by the relevant state body for sales of other clubs.

It's understood there is an emphasis on finding the 'right' fit in a private investment partner rather than simply accepting the highest bid.

"Cricket Australia and its State members are united in our commitment to investing in and growing the BBL and WBBL, and to advancing the interests of cricket at every level," said Baird, who has extensive experience with privatisation from his time as NSW Premier.

"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 claimed.

Baird and CA chief executive Todd Greenberg were flanked by star players Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Sophie Molineux and Ellyse Perry at the announcement at the SCG today. Test and ODI skipper Cummins has not featured in the BBL since the 2018-19 summer.

The plan to have at least the Renegades under private ownership by the 2027-28 season is in line with CA's initial timeline for the privatisation project.

In June, Cricket Victoria told staff of its intention to rebrand the Melbourne Stars – what it termed a "merger" with the Renegades – also distancing itself from operations of the Renegades teams in a bid to sell the club to private investors in advance of the coming 2026-27 summer.

Those plans were delayed amid negotiations, with the Stars and Renegades to play in Weber WBBL|12 and KFC BBL|16 in their current iterations, albeit with the Renegades under caretaker operations out of CA's headquarters.

The Weber WBBL|12 season begins on October 29 with a match between the Renegades and Thunder in Melbourne, while the KFC BBL|16 season begins on December 12 with an historic opening match in Chennai between the Renegades and Perth Scorchers.