Adam Gilchrist Reveals One Big Issue $800m BBL Sale Won't Solve
Big Bash League (BBL), the T20 Franchise League of Australia, might be changing soon. Cricket Australia is looking at selling 49 per cent stakes in its teams to private investors. It's thought that it could potentially raise up to $800 million.
The board is expecting a good level of interest from potential investors, perhaps IPL owners, UAE based investors or alike. England recently used a similar strategy with the sale of clubs in the Hundred during 2025.
The money raised is seen as vital by Cricket Australia, who posted a $11.3 million loss for 2024/25 season, the shorter Ashes Tests didn't help with gate revenues either and it's been reported that the board wants to use the proceeds to solidify the game for the 2031 broadcast deal.
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Gilchrist Not Convinced
However, former Aussie wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist remains unconvinced by the proposals and whether it will elevate the competition itself.
On Friday, Gilchrist told SEN:
"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."
He said that while many leagues make sure their star players take part, Australia's current league hasn't managed to do so.
"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)."
Gilchrist clearly believes that star players are what the league needs.
"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.
"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."
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Scheduling Challenges Remain
However the core problem with the Big Bash remains a problematic calendar where both international and domestic competitions occur at the same time. There are also issues with venue availability as most grounds are often rented out for AFL season for part of the year.
Players like Steve Smith, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne and Mitchell Starc only made their appearances in the final stages of the Big Bash after returning from the Ashes and missed the vast majority of the competition.
Unless a change of the schedule is made, which would allow the best Australian players to participate through the entirety of the tournament, questions about whether private investment will lift the league remain unanswered.