Todd Greenberg, chief executive of Cricket Australia (CA), feels the Big Bash League (BBL) has the potential to become one of the ‘Grand Slam’ competitions in the global T20 franchise cricket scene. The BBL, now in its 14th season, is at a watershed moment as CA seriously explores privatisation in light of the results of a report commissioned by the Boston Consulting Group in July.
The research proposed selling interests in the league, which may substantially alter Australian domestic cricket. If approved by Cricket Australia, the sale process might generate up to AUD 800 million. The surge of funding would help CA to solve existing budgetary issues while also allowing for significant investment at all levels of the sport, from grassroots development to elite performance routes.
Greenberg stated that privatisation might also assist the BBL reach its long-term goal of becoming the world’s second-most renowned T20 competition, trailing only the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Since its start, the IPL, widely regarded as the pinnacle of franchise cricket, has set records for income, global reach, and player engagement.
CA feels that with improved financial support and strategic preparation, the BBL can close this gap.
The CA CEO further stated that the BBL should be part of a broader ‘Grand Slam’ concept in franchise cricket, aligning itself with elite tournaments such as the IPL and England’s The Hundred. Cricket Australia is expected to continue consultations with stakeholders before reaching a final decision, with clarity on the privatisation of the BBL likely to emerge sometime in 2026.
“The way I have described it… I think there will be effectively the Grand Slams in T20 franchise cricket. We have already seen one in the IPL, let us call that Wimbledon. I think The Hundred (in England) will make their mark there. I want to make sure that in Australia, we form part of that Grand Slam series of T20 events,” said Greenberg to SEN Cricket.
“And to do that, you need capital, you need investment, you need the best players, and you need the right window. I am conscious that if we just sit around and hope that we can compete as opposed to genuinely trying to find ways to compete, we might lose our place on that stage,” he added.
India
