CA nears approval on modified BBL privatisation plan

Cricket Australia's board is potentially 10 days away from approving a revised private ownership deal which would auction off some, but not all, of the BBL franchises.

The 'opt in' scenario allows for a two-phase approach. Initially pushed by South Australia, other states have since warmed to the idea of a staggered sale. 

States will be able to determine their own paths forward, which opens up a range of other complexities relating to salary cap management and player payment.

South Australia has even floated having a second BBL franchise as part of Cricket Australia's expansion plans, though those discussions are in the preliminary stages and unlikely to materialise in the near future. 

Victoria would look to sell the Melbourne Renegades and have them play home games at a combination of the MCG, GMHBA Stadium, the Junction Oval and Chennai. 

The Renegades would likely be re-named as part of the sale, depending on the wishes of the buyer. 

Cricket Victoria (CV) would then rally behind a rebranded Stars outfit. Though they wouldn't be allowed to rename the franchise 'Victoria,' there is every chance the club would have new colours and market itself as the state's team.

In an ideal world for CV, 49 per cent of the Stars franchise will be sold to private investment.

The move for the Renegades to the MCG maximises value for a new owner, though this is yet to be confirmed as the club and Marvel Stadium navigate a potentially delicate (albeit amicable) split.

It's understood there's been a push for states that commit to private ownership in the first phase to receive a financial bonus as a reward for pioneering the concept. 

This is particularly attractive to Western Australia given its debt for the WACA redevelopment, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria.

Under this proposal, states would then be eligible for a secondary injection of cash when phase two commences down the track. 

Phase two relies on the eventual agreement of Queensland and NSW to commit to private ownership. 

NSW is concerned that a player for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL, who also plays under the same banner for MI London, would essentially have a way of cheating the salary cap if the Mumbai franchise purchased the Renegades.

The player could theoretically be underpaid in the BBL and overpaid elsewhere, creating salary cap room in Australia to be used on other players.

States with just one BBL team have been accused of 'bundling' in the past. It's a tactic which Cricket Australia officials are aware of, but is difficult to police across state and BBL contracts. Victoria and NSW sources believe the other states have had a huge advantage due to 'bundling' across the last 15 years.

It's these nuanced details that Cricket Australia is working through before submitting its fresh proposal to states in the coming weeks. 

NSW also has a suspicion that Cricket Australia is using agents to find sponsors, which costs extra money, and senses the governing body has intentionally delivered conservative financial forecasts for future summers to create a narrative that the sport is in significant trouble. 

NSW also believes that Cricket Australia does not make the most of gambling revenue and is concerned about the impact of the South African T20 league on the BBL in the medium term.

NSW believes the best players should be paid more and that B-grade overseas cricketers shouldn't earn a higher salary than Aussie stars. 

A five-person delegation led by BBL chief Alastair Dobson is in India at the moment, while another state-based crew - which includes multiple CEOs - will fly to Mumbai on Wednesday.

States believe that Queensland's internal politics is the biggest stumbling block to private investment up north, with grade clubs voicing their displeasure with the state's leadership.

CA looking into government funding for BBL match in India

Cricket Australia has received encouraging news from the BCCI regarding the BBL season opener in India, though it's not over the line yet. 

While the most difficult step was convincing India to host the game, the next step is not straightforward: How to pay for it.

Cricket Australia is expected to fly around 100 people over for the game. Broadcasters need infrastructure, and commercial partners need to invest. 

Funding is a significant part of the challenge, which is why BBL franchises were sent a memo recently asking them to explore how they would bring sponsors to the occasion. 

Cricket Australia is keen to tap into the federal budget, which is available for anything that strengthens ties between Australia and India. 

Contractually, the BBL fixture has to be released by July 15, and the complexities around this India game are expected to push right up into July.

Cricket Australia wants the game to look and feel like a BBL game in Chennai, rather than an IPL game. There will be Australian ground announcers, bucket hats and other marketing tools. 

Cricket Victoria has proposed that the Renegades play in the match, while the Scorchers are red-hot favourites.