01/05/2026
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Queensland Join New South Wales in Rejecting Partial Sale of Big Bash Clubs
In a major setback for Cricket Australia’s (CA) plans to partially privatise the Big Bash League, Queensland Cricket has joined Cricket New South Wales in firmly rejecting the proposal to sell up to 49% stakes in BBL franchises to private investors.
The decision, confirmed this week, effectively halts CA’s push for what could have been a landmark injection of up to $600 million into Australian cricket. CA had proposed selling minority stakes in most teams, with potential valuations around $100–200 million per franchise, aiming to boost player payments and compete with lucrative overseas T20 leagues like the IPL, SA20, and The Hundred.
Queensland Cricket, operators of the Brisbane Heat, stated after board deliberations that they would not proceed with the sales process. Instead, they expressed a desire to collaborate with CA on growing the BBL while retaining full ownership and control of the franchise. The board prioritised the long-term interests of the game in Queensland and Australia, emphasising concerns over governance, brand integrity, and the traditional state-based structure of Australian cricket.
This stance aligns with Cricket NSW’s earlier opposition. NSW, home to the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder, had already voiced strong reservations and proposed alternative self-funding models, including potential increases in wagering revenue. With two of the largest states united against the plan, nationwide consensus among the six state associations became impossible.
CA CEO Todd Greenberg acknowledged the division, noting that Victoria, Western Australia, and Tasmania supported the move, while South Australia preferred a more flexible approach. Without full support, CA will now explore alternative revenue strategies for the 2026-27 season and beyond. The BBL will continue under its existing broadcast deal, with no immediate changes to club ownership.
This development highlights ongoing tensions in Australian cricket between commercial expansion and preserving the sport’s community and state roots. Further discussions are expected as CA seeks sustainable ways to strengthen the competition without diluting control.
