New South Wales (NSW), South Australia (SA), and Queensland have asked Cricket Australia (CA) for a meeting to address the impact of Cricket Victoria’s decision to merge the Melbourne Stars and Renegades in the Big Bash League (BBL). The Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) noted that this situation has led to “confusion, uncertainty, and anxiety” among players, who feel there is no clear direction for BBL privatisation.
The merging of the Stars and Renegades into a new club, along with selling one BBL license to a private owner, has sparked significant concern throughout Australian cricket. NSW has expressed dissatisfaction and has reached out to SA and Queensland, signaling their worries about the privatisation plan and requesting an unscheduled meeting with CA on Thursday.
NSW also expressed frustration over not being informed about a recent trip by CA leaders to Chennai. This trip involved discussions about hosting the BBL 2026-27 opener in the Indian city and meeting potential investors interested in purchasing stakes in clubs from various states.
NSW has been seeking a formal meeting with CA for some time but has received no response. State executives will gather in Melbourne next week for a meeting ahead of the chairs’ meeting on June 15. Paul Marsh, the ACA CEO, issued a strong statement following the merger announcement.
“There has been much recent discussion around the privatisation of BBL clubs. This is a major decision for Australian cricket that must consider the long-term interests of the game. Currently, there is no unified direction for Australian cricket, and we are far from a solution,” Marsh stated on social media.
“Cricket Victoria’s merger announcement between the Stars and Renegades and the creation of a privately owned club has generated confusion and anxiety among players,” he added.
CA CEO Todd Greenberg clarified that no decisions have been made yet. “We continue to collaborate with the States to explore options for private investment in the Big Bash Leagues. Much work remains, and no approvals have been finalized,” Greenberg said.
All players to retain their contracts
Representatives from Cricket Victoria assured all contracted players from both teams that their contracts will remain valid despite the changes.
The Stars currently have 10 contracted men’s players, including notable names like Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis, along with seven contracted WBBL players such as Meg Lanning, Annabel Sutherland, and Marizanne Kapp. They will all keep their contracts with the new team.
The merged clubs will need to complete their rosters with 18 spots for men and 15 for women, which will be managed by the list management teams for each side.