Cricket Australia and representatives from six state chairs met on June 15 to agree on plans to enhance the Big Bash Leagues and support cricket at all levels across Australia.
The chairs supported a proposal for allowing private investment in the game, which will be taken back to their respective boards for further discussions.
This agreement includes four main requirements:
- Agreement on the governance structure of the new Big Bash Leagues.
- Changes to the Cricket Australia governance structure to align with the new model.
- Consensus on the self-determination model with the Australian Cricketer’s Association.
- Agreement on future funding and distribution between CA and each State.
If these conditions are met, Cricket Victoria may be the first State to seek investment, allowing for market evaluation of club value.
“Today’s discussions were productive, and I’m glad we’ve kept the momentum going to improve the Big Bash Leagues for everyone involved. The States will return to their boards to discuss these proposals and address any questions regarding governance, player support, and funding,” said CA chairman Mike Baird.
“We believe this will lead to a positive outcome for everyone, including grassroots participants and professional players, ensuring a stable future for cricket in Australia,” he added.
“Our discussions today were honest and constructive as we look for the best path forward for Australian Cricket. While there’s more to do, we’ve made good strides and will now focus on the self-determination model with our respective Boards,” said Will Rayner, Chairperson of SACA.
“This was a valuable session that sets us up to continue growing the BBL leagues while maintaining necessary safeguards for the game’s long-term sustainability,” Rayner concluded.