Cricket states get green light to sell BBL teams under 'self-determination model'

Australian cricket is about to look very different. State associations can now sell off stakes in their Big Bash League teams under a 'self-determination model' agreed to on Monday.

The meeting between Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird and his state counterparts wrapped up in mid-afternoon. Upon leaving, Cricket NSW chair John Knox told reporters there was 'full alignment'.

It means Victoria can carry on with its controversial plan to sell a licence. The state shocked the cricket world by merging the Melbourne Stars and Renegades BBL teams. Other states are now weighing up their options.

Clubs can be sold in time for the 2027-28 season. That's a delay from Victoria's earlier hope of having a new owner for the Melbourne Renegades by the end of this year.

New South Wales and Queensland have been most vocal in opposing sales. South Australia first floated the self-determination idea, where each state makes its own call. Western Australia and Tasmania are willing to test the market for their clubs.

Under the model, the BBL will likely be carved out of CA into a separate commercial entity. That entity will oversee any future privatisation and be taxable – unlike the not-for-profit status of CA and state associations.

States that sell 100% of a club – as Cricket Victoria hopes to do with the Renegades – would keep 51% of the proceeds. CA would get 49%. A central 'future fund' has also been agreed, with money ring-fenced until after the current broadcast deal expires in 2031.

CA will cover the cost of any salary cap increases until 2031. There's broad agreement that the BBL salary cap must grow significantly to retain and attract top talent, and to boost the next media rights deal.

Media rights expert Colin Smith, who has advised CA and the IOC on cricket's Olympic inclusion, warned that without a cap rise, the next rights deal could shrink. 'If they stay with the status quo in some form, that will mean the next round of rights will reduce in value,' he said.

The Australian Cricketers Association informed players of their opposition to the sale model over the weekend. The ACA wasn't represented at Monday's meeting.

Cricket Victoria, which sent a board director in place of absent chair Ross Hepburn, faced questions over its decision to merge the Stars and Renegades staff and extinguish the two brands. While CA technically owns the licences, debate continues over whether the teams will keep their names for this summer.

The meeting also touched on wider governance issues. Some states are pushing for a return to a more representative CA board, with members directly appointed by states. This model was recently advocated by Greg Chappell in a column.

South Australia chair Will Rayner and NSW chair John Knox have both clashed with CA over certain directions. Knox's face-to-face with Baird – who was nominated by CNSW to join the CA board and later become chair – was a key moment.

Under the current structure, CA is effectively owned by the six state associations and hands out annual cash distributions. That limits the board's ability to make strategic decisions. The new model could fundamentally change that.