Cricket Australia\u2019s (CA) hopes of opening the Big Bash League (BBL) to private investment have hit a major \u200broadblock after member state Queensland deferred its decision on backing a plan \u200cto sell stakes in the nation\u2019s domestic T20 franchises.<\/p>\n
Queensland Cricket, \u200bwhich hosts Brisbane Heat, said on Wednesday it \u2060had made no final decision following a board meeting and would seek further information from CA.<\/p>\n
CA had set Wednesday as a deadline for the nation\u2019s six \u200cmember states to indicate their support to proceed with a plan which would involve selling off 49 per cent stakes \u200cin most teams and 100 per cent of one team each in \u200cVictoria \u2060and New South Wales.<\/p>\n
CA declined to comment when contacted \u2060by Reuters about Queensland\u2019s deferral.<\/p>\n
New South Wales\u2019 (NSW) support for the proposal is also far from assured.<\/p>\n
Cricket NSW boss Lee Germon said last month that alternative proposals needed to \u200bbe considered.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe may well \u200cend up at the first proposal which is selling all the clubs, but we need to do the due diligence,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to invest in BBL. We want to lift it. \u200cWe want to have the best players playing it.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre there \u200balternative ways we can do that without necessarily going straight to selling the clubs?\u201d<\/p>\n
The privatisation push has been \u2060driven by CA Chairman Mike Baird and CEO Todd Greenberg following a review by Boston Consulting Group last year.<\/p>\n
CA is hoping to raise \u200cup to AUD 600 million from the sale to future-proof the sport, boost its finances and improve Australia\u2019s competitiveness in T20 cricket.<\/p>\n
CA reported a net deficit of AUD 11.3 million for the 2024-25 financial year despite a jump in revenue from hosting the lucrative Border-Gavaskar series against powerhouse India.<\/p>\n
Australia crashed out of the group stage at \u200cthe recent T20 World Cup won by India, triggering acrimony on the home \u200bfront.<\/p>\n
Despite the potential for a major capital boost, influential cricket figures in Australia remain wary of private money.<\/p>\n
Former Test \u2060captain and talent development boss Greg Chappell said the BBL was a \u2060success and selling it off could mean a damaging loss of control for the game\u2019s local custodians.<\/p>\n
\u201cAustralian cricket has \u200clong benefited from maintaining its autonomy,\u201d he wrote in a column published in the Sydney Morning Herald<\/i>.<\/p>\n
\u201cSurrendering even part of that \u200bindependence could have far-reaching consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n
Published on Apr 15, 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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