The privatisation of the Big Bash League looks increasingly likely, as Cricket Australia looks to cash in on the much-needed financial windfall.
But Adam Gilchrist isn’t sold on that prospect actually improving the competition itself.
CA would ideally sell 49 per cent stakes in the teams, similar to what occurred in England with The Hundred in 2025.
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Adam Gilchrist. PA Images via Getty Images
Whether it’s Indian Premier League franchise owners or another investor, the sale could pump as much as $800m into the Aussie cricketing ecosystem, something it desperately needs after an $11.3m loss in 2024/2025, and the recent Ashes summer stunted by short Tests.
But Gilchrist isn’t confident that the BBL will actually be a better product in new hands, saying it will never reach its full potential without the top Australian stars featuring across the season.
“All I’ll keep saying is I can’t see the Big Bash elevating to the levels of … I mean, the IPL is a different beast in itself, so it’s hard to compare any competition to that,” Gilchrist told SEN on Friday.
“But even The Hundred in England (or) South Africa’s (SA20), these tournaments are making periods of time where the best talented players from their nation are playing (in it).
“India will never play an IPL without the top players playing from India. You can throw all the internationals you want in there, but I just don’t see the Big Bash elevating until you can see Pat Cummins charging in and bowling to Steve Smith or Marnus Labuschagne or pick whatever international from the Australian ranks.
Aaron Hardie of the Scorchers celebrates the wicket of Steve Smith. Getty
“Until they’re all there in earnest, I think that’s why it’s going to be challenging to elevate.
“I just don’t know if pumping, let’s face it, most likely Indian money or money out of the UAE into the competition is necessarily going to elevate it and get the passion from the fans to follow it.”
The nature of the Australian sporting calendar, and the usage of most venues by the AFL in the winter, makes it hard to picture a BBL season that doesn’t overlap with Test cricket.
The likes of Steve Smith, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne and Mitchell Starc made themselves available for the tail-end of the Big Bash season following the Ashes, but missed the majority of the tournament.
Cricket Australia reportedly plans to use any money from a hypothetical BBL sale to future-proof the game’s finances, ahead of the next broadcast deal in 2031.