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BBL privatisation bid in trouble after ACA rejects current proposal

Reyaansh Bansal · 14/06/2026 · 2 min read

BBL Privatisation Bid in Trouble

The Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) has rejected Cricket Australia’s current BBL privatisation model, stating that they are not aligned with the current direction of the process or the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This decision has sent shockwaves through the cricket community, with the future of the BBL hanging in the balance.

ACA’s Position

Australian cricket is not currently united on the right path to privatisation, according to ACA chief executive Paul Marsh. In an email to Australian players, Marsh outlined the ACA’s current position, citing the recent upheaval around Cricket Victoria’s proposed sale of the Melbourne Renegades and merger with the Melbourne Stars as a prime example of the game’s lack of alignment on an approach to privatisation.

Marsh wrote that the ACA continues to believe that privatisation can work, but CA’s current MOU proposal does not improve on the existing player revenue share arrangement, does not provide for salary increases for all player cohorts, and fails to address the broader priorities players presented to CA.

Player Pay at the Heart of the Debate

Player pay has been at the heart of the privatisation debate, with CA’s chief executive Todd Greenberg stating that growing player salaries to compete on a global scale is a key reason for pursuing the new structure. However, the ACA has expressed concerns that the current structure does not provide fair compensation for Australian players, with some overseas players earning significantly more than their Australian counterparts.

The ACA is continuing discussions with CA about potential changes to the W/BBL payment structures for the coming season, with Marsh adding that the ACA will also meet with Stars and Renegades players this week to discuss issues that arose from Cricket Victoria’s proposal.

Next Steps

With privatisation unable to proceed without ACA agreement, the ACA’s plan is to continue working with CA and the states to address the issues that have led to the rejection of the current proposal. Marsh has asked players to be patient as the ACA works towards a deal that is good for both players and the game, stating that any sale of these teams is forever, and it is crucial to get it right.

Reyaansh Bansal

Reyaansh Bansal is the digital cricket content lead for ESPNcricinfo, where he masters the art of making cricket irresistible on phones, feeds, and timelines. A Mumbai University media graduate, Bansal began his career in sports radio but quickly pivoted to the digital space, recognising that the future of cricket fandom was being shaped on Twitter threads, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. He now leads a creative team that produces viral match recaps, player quizzes, and data‑driven infographics for millions of followers. Bansal’s unique skill is decoding complex match situations into shareable, witty formats without losing the sport’s essence. His work has been praised by current players, broadcasters, and cricket boards for bringing new, younger audiences to the game.