Why Gilchrist can’t see the BBL ‘elevating’ even with privatisation

With Cricket Australia likely to make a call soon on whether it allows for private ownership within the Big Bash League, Adam Gilchrist is unsure whether that would help the league’s growth.

The BBL and WBBL have been an important part of the domestic cricketing season since its colourful introduction back in 2011 for the men’s and four years later for the women’s.

And with the eight-franchise T20 league hitting the 15-year mark this year, CA commissioned a report from the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) last July to look at how the governing body could continue the growth it has had.

In their findings, BCG recommended a host of changes, with the most prominent change being for private investment/ownership in the competition.

With reported valuations of each side being worth between $150-200 million AUD, the influx of cash, even if minority stakes were to be sold, would be monumental for the governing body, which posted a loss of $11.3 million in the 2024/25 financial year.     

Whilst Gilchrist acknowledges he’s not the most well-versed person on how privatisation would affect the competition, he believes that there is another way to increase its standing. 

“Look, I don’t know, and that’s great coming from someone who’s meant to be an expert on the game or have intelligent comments,” he told SEN’s Fireball.

“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.

“But even The Hundred in England (or) South Africa (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.

“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.”

Cricket Australia is expected to make a decision on whether they’ll allow privatisation in the competition in early 2026.

If implemented, it would likely take affect in BBL|17 (2027/28).