BBL Approves Privatisation, Renegades to Be Sold

Cricket Australia has approved a plan to open the Big Bash League to private investors, moving to sell off the Melbourne Renegades and change the ownership structure of the competition.

The decision follows months of debate inside the sport. Cricket Victoria had already stirred controversy by pushing to merge the Renegades with the Melbourne Stars. NSW and Queensland fought the privatisation plan, while Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia backed it.

CA chairman Mike Baird said the governing body would keep control of international scheduling, player availability, the BBL salary cap and branding.

«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,».

The club is expected to be rebranded once sold, and the Stars may follow with a new name of their own.

CA has left open whether other BBL clubs go up for sale, saying that will depend on how the Renegades sale goes.