Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg spent part of Thursday on the phone to his state counterparts, trying to soothe nerves after Cricket Victoria unexpectedly went public with plans to combine the Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades if – or when – private money arrives in the Big Bash League.
The call, set up at short notice, pulled in chairs and CEOs from New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. Victoria’s CEO Nick Cummins and chair Ross Hepburn were left off the invite list; most of the others wanted the space to talk candidly before next week’s face-to-face meetings in Melbourne.
The flashpoint was Victoria’s statement on Tuesday. In it, the state flagged a proposal to run the Stars and Renegades under a single administration, with a new name, new colours, and the sale of the second licence to an outside investor as soon as CA gives the green light. That message blindsided several colleagues, chiefly because CA has not yet signed off on the next phase of its so-called hybrid privatisation model. Formal approval must still come from the CA board, and negotiations with the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) remain open.
As expected, the mood on Thursday was mixed. States in favour of a partial sell-off – Western Australia and Tasmania among them – were happy to keep things moving. Others wanted time to digest. NSW, in particular, continues to argue for a self-funding Big Bash model that keeps private investors at arm’s length. Queensland has shown similar caution. South Australia sits somewhere in the middle and originally pushed for the hybrid approach, allowing each state to opt in or out at its own pace.
After the meeting, Greenberg released a short statement:
“We had productive discussions with several State chairs and CEOs today to ensure talks about the possible inclusion of private investment in the Big Bash Leagues remain fully aligned.
“The timing of the news about Cricket Victoria’s intentions in the event of private investment was not ideal. But we understand their challenges.
“It is very important to restate that Cricket Australia, the States and the ACA all have the best interests of Australian Cricket at heart, and we will continue discussions to find the best way forward.”
Privately, officials admit the announcement landed awkwardly. One senior administrator described the process as “cart before horse”, while another suggested Victoria misread the national mood. Yet there is also acknowledgement that Victoria, responsible for two clubs in the nation’s tightest sporting market, faces unique commercial pressure. An eventual merger might trim overheads and create a more attractive rights package; critics counter that it risks alienating rusted-on supporters and diluting the Melbourne derby, one of the BBL’s marquee fixtures.
The ACA, which only learnt of Victoria’s blueprint through media reports, has requested clarity on player impact. Any reduction from eight BBL licences to seven would likely squeeze squad spots and could, in theory, shift salary discussions. One players’ representative noted that timing matters here too: pre-draft negotiations for next season begin in a matter of weeks.
Meanwhile, Cummins attempted some bridge-building of his own, emailing fellow states to explain the reasoning behind Victoria’s stance. Sources familiar with that note say it framed the merger as an “if-required” solution rather than a set plan, but also underlined Victoria’s desire to move fast once CA officially opens the door to external capital.
For now, the official line is steady-as-she-goes. The full state executives gather in Melbourne next week, followed by the state chairs a few days later. Those sessions should refine – or at least narrow – the range of options before anything lands on the CA board table. Only then can negotiations with potential investors start in earnest.
What happens if the board cannot reach unanimous agreement? The hybrid idea remains the fallback: states keen to sell can do so; those opposed can hold off. It is messy, though less messy, some argue, than watching the BBL drift while rival T20 leagues vacuum up talent and cash.
Either way, Victoria’s bolt-from-the-blue has forced the conversation into the open. There is no obvious consensus yet, but the timetable just became that little bit tighter – and Todd Greenberg’s phone is unlikely to stay quiet for long.
