The Big Bash is one of the oldest and most entertaining cricket leagues. A league heavily oriented towards local talent and with very few names from global sports. After years, the league is now set to expand to ten franchises. But how long will it take to introduce two new faces, as next season is already finalised with eight teams?
Multiple reports suggest Cricket Australia is preparing to expand the Big Bash League from its current eight teams to ten. The Big Bash is the second-oldest cricketing league following the Indian Premier League, which started in 2011. After 15 years, we are going to get two more teams in the Big Bash, but it all depends upon the new model CA is introducing. CA is planning to sell stakes in the existing franchises under a hybrid or self-determination model, if approved.
In the Big Bash, the franchises were fully owned by Cricket Australia and state cricket associations. Two teams are fully under CA control, while the other six are in conjunction with state associations. This has been the structure of the Australian cricket league from the start and until now. But these things are on the verge of changing, where CA and the states have agreed in principle to a self-determination or hybrid model.
This news has already grabbed the attention of the owners of IPL and Hundred franchises, with valuations of up to 200 million USD per franchise. But these things are still under discussion, where a division between states is clearly visible. Victoria, Western Australia, and Tasmania are most supportive and are expected to move first. Victoria has already signalled its intention to sell one of its Melbourne licence franchises. While Queensland Cricket and Cricket New South Wales are resisting, they own three franchises, including Brisbane Heat (QC) and Sydney-based franchises (CNSW).
Any actual sales are targeted for the 2027-28 season, while in this season, a restructure of the Melbourne-related franchises is expected. To own a franchise in the Big Bash, several conditions still need to be met, including governance changes, an agreement with the players’ union/ACA, funding agreements, etc. Before that, it is just a plan that exists on paper.
