Cricket Australia faces resistance from key state associations in its push to sell stakes in Big Bash League (BBL) franchises, casting uncertainty over the T20 competition’s future.

State Associations Voice Opposition

Cricket NSW chief executive Lee Germon stated his opposition to the plan, confirming that the Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers will not participate in Cricket Australia’s valuation process for the clubs.

Cricket Queensland chief executive Terry Svenson noted after a board meeting that no final decision has been reached. “Good discussion though,” Svenson said. “[We are] seeking some further clarity from CA this week on a couple of points which will help us make a final decision.”

Cricket Australia’s Ongoing Process

Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg affirmed that the evaluation continues. “We are receiving responses from states to our proposal on private investment in BBL clubs and remain open to discussing any questions or concerns about this model,” he said. “This process remains respectful and collaborative and with the best interests of Australian cricket the key consideration of all involved.”

Details of the Proposed Investment Model

The plan mirrors the UK’s Hundred competition, where an auction last year generated £520 million (approximately $1 billion). Cricket Australia aims to open BBL franchises—currently managed by the six state associations—to private investors for up to 49% ownership, with team valuations reaching $200 million each.

Proceeds would provide states with an initial cash boost and ongoing annual payments, while Cricket Australia plans to establish a future fund with the funds.

The BBL faces growing competition from emerging leagues in South Africa and the UAE, which vie for players and attention during Australia’s summer season.

Concerns Over External Investors

Germon highlighted risks associated with outside investment. “Our biggest fear is the external investment coming into a cricket ecosystem, which is working very effectively and very well now,” he said. “We see some risks here, which Cricket Australia share, by the way. I think we all understand that one of the risks in bringing that [investment] is that you suddenly open up the involvement of external investors who will not have aligned goals with the states or Cricket Australia in terms of how they want the game to be run.”

Alternative Revenue Strategies

Cricket NSW proposes boosting BBL investment through other revenue streams, avoiding franchise sales altogether. This includes higher ticket yields, increased attendance, commercial sponsorships, and returns from wagering partners.

“There’s a number of lines there. So it’s ticket yield, it’s attendance, it’s commercial sponsorship, it’s a number of different items there,” Germon explained. “Some will be more palatable than others, some will be more achievable than others, but we believe that they need to be looked at in terms of providing an opportunity to fund our way through this to develop the BBL without going straight to selling our clubs.”

On concerns about greater reliance on gambling revenue, Germon pointed out that wagering already contributes to cricket. “[Wagering] is one of many that we’ve identified and highlighted. Now, many of those may be ruled out, many of them may be amplified in terms of importance, and that’s the process we now need to go through taking those sorts of things into account.”