Cricket Australia eyes spot next to IPL with rigorous BBL investments

In order to lift the Big Bash League (BBL) globally, Cricket Australia (CA) is actively considering private investment into the tournament. The decision was described by CEO Todd Greenberg as unashamedly targeted at making the BBL the second-best T20 league in the world, behind only the IPL.

The development came into being after a comprehensive review by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), ordered earlier this year by the CA Board. The BCG report showed important recommendations, including exploring alternative investment and ownership models for BBL franchises. This is the most serious Cricket Australia has ever been about privatisation, with Greenberg confirming the intent is to enhance player salaries, improve infrastructure, and attract global talent through significant financial backing.

Although the report will not be made public due to sensitive commercial content, CA has stated that it will undergo a thorough exploratory process before any decisions are made. Greenberg admitted that the board's vision is to run a league that is placed just beside or behind the IPL.

"Well that's certainly the vision of everyone in cricket here in this country is to make sure that we run a league and we run a T20 tournament that is sitting just beside or behind or adjacent to the IPL. It's going to be very hard to chase the IPL, given the scale of cricket in India, but unashamedly, we want to run a league that comes second. And to do that we're going to need to make sure that player availability and player salaries are commensurate with everything else that goes on around the world, and there's one thing you need for that, you need money, you need investment. We'd be naive if we weren't asking ourselves these questions and making sure we've got an eye on what's next. Nothing has been decided at this point in time. The report does tell us that the BBL is in a very healthy position, but one thing we're sure of is we don't want to take that for granted. So it's incumbent on us, as leaders of the sport, to look at what the future might hold for us," Greenberg said on SEN radio.

The benefits of privatisation include improved player salaries and making the league attractive for international stars. Furthermore, greater investment in grassroots levels and building a USD 100 million+ financial reserve to future-proof the league.

"It couldn't be anything further from the truth. We're looking at ways to put money into cricket so that all parts of cricket can continue to flourish. So for me, this is much less about selling something. It's more about what the future looks like and trying to ensure that we can continue to put money and resources into grassroots and performance pathways, and so we can be secure, and we can be the sport of choice, and we can continue to be the country's national sport. None of that will happen if we sit still on our hands and think that everything tomorrow will be like yesterday. We're living in a world that's moving at speed," Greenberg added.

CA denies shifting iconic New Year Test

England’s ‘The Hundred’ has provided a successful benchmark, with billions raised through stake sales. Greenberg emphasized that any changes would be collaborative and only implemented if they benefit Australian cricket fully.

Australia’s celebrated Test schedule, particularly the New Year’s Test at the SCG, is another highlight. Private ownership might demand full availability of top players like Pat Cummins and Steve Smith, challenging the current calendar structure. However, Greenberg ruled out moving the iconic Sydney Test, citing its cultural significance.