Cricket Australia (CA) is thinking about allowing private investment in the Big Bash League (BBL). The goal is to make the BBL the second-best T20 league in the world, just behind the Indian Premier League (IPL).
This idea came after a review done by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). The report recommended that CA look at new ways to run BBL teams, including private ownership.
CA CEO Todd Greenberg said they are serious about improving the league. He explained that private money could help increase player salaries, improve stadiums, and attract top international players.
Greenberg told SEN radio, “We want to run a league that sits just behind the IPL. To do that, we need players to be available and paid well. That needs investment. We’d be naive if we didn’t think about it.”
He also said that no final decision has been made yet. The BCG report will not be made public because it contains sensitive commercial information.
‘We want to keep growing cricket in Australia’ – Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg
Greenberg believes this move is not about selling cricket. He said it’s about securing the future of the game. The money could also help improve cricket at the grassroots level and build a financial reserve of over 100 million US dollars.
“We want to keep growing cricket in Australia. That means putting money into junior programs and pathways. We must be ready for the future,” he said.
Other leagues like England’s ‘The Hundred’ have shown success with private investment. That has given CA confidence to explore the idea carefully.
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Some people worry about changes to the schedule. For example, private owners might want stars like Pat Cummins and Steve Smith to play every BBL match. That could clash with Test cricket dates.
However, Greenberg made it clear that the New Year’s Test at the SCG will not be moved. He said it is a very special tradition and will stay as it is.
CA wants to make sure that any changes are good for all of Australian cricket.
