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Cricket Victoria Proposes Restructuring of Melbourne's Big Bash League Teams, Including Sale of One Licence

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News Analysis

Cricket Victoria Proposes Major BBL Restructure: One Team to State Control, Other to Private Sale

Cricket Victoria (CV) has unveiled a significant proposal to overhaul its two Melbourne-based Big Bash League (BBL) franchises. The plan, which requires approval from multiple stakeholders, would see the Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades consolidated into a single CV-owned entity, with the other BBL licence sold to a private investor.

"We're not doing this for the love of anything other than accepting it as a financial necessity."
— CV CEO Nick Cummins

The Proposed Structure

Under the current proposal:

  • CV will operate one BBL team, which will be rebranded with a new name and colours (navy blue and white). The name "Bushrangers," previously used by Victoria's state T20 side, has been considered. Market research indicated fan support for a team under a Victorian banner.

  • The second Melbourne BBL licence will be sold to a private investor, who will be permitted to rebrand the team. The Renegades brand will be retained on a caretaker basis until a sale is finalized.

Both teams will remain based in Melbourne for the BBL and WBBL competitions.

Impact on Players and Staff

CV has provided specific guidance on personnel:

  • Playing rosters will not be combined into a single "super team."
  • Stars players will remain with the CV-owned entity.
  • Renegades players will remain with that licence. Any transfer of player contracts to new ownership will require approval from the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA).
  • CV staff will be consolidated into the single team.

Background and Rationale

The proposal follows CA's push for privatisation of the BBL, which is reportedly the only major domestic T20 tournament without private investment. CV CEO Nick Cummins described the decision as a financial necessity, citing larger-than-expected funding gaps from Cricket Australia.

CA CEO Todd Greenberg has stated that private investment in the BBL is "inevitable."

State Positions on Privatisation Position States Support Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania Hybrid Model South Australia Oppose Queensland, New South Wales

Notably, Cricket New South Wales, which also operates two BBL franchises, has opted not to participate in the privatisation process.

CA's original privatisation plan was reportedly stalled in late April 2025 when Queensland and New South Wales opposed the initial proposal. A revised model includes an opt-in approach for interested franchises.

Timeline and Next Steps

The process involves several stages:

  1. CA will meet with states to discuss the revised investment model.
  2. CV will begin preparations to receive expressions of interest for the sale of one BBL licence.
  3. The sale process is expected to take months, potentially leaving the BBL in a transitional state for the 2026-27 season. One proposal involves the sold team continuing on a caretaker basis until new owners take over.
  4. Branding for the CV team is expected to be released later this month.
  5. Final approval required from the CA board, other state boards, and the ACA.

Official Statements

CA: "We are aware of Cricket Victoria's intentions, which would still mean there are two teams in Melbourne. There's still plenty of work to be done and nothing has been decided or approved as yet."

CV Chair Ross Hepburn: "The process allows exploration of new investment to strengthen cricket."

Historical Context

The Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades were established in 2011 for the launch of the BBL.

  • Renegades: Won the BBL championship in the 2018-19 season
  • Stars: Have never won a BBL title
  • Melbourne derby: Has drawn significant crowds, with one recent match reporting an attendance of over 68,000