Cricket Australia approved private investment in the Big Bash League on September 8, 2026. The Melbourne Renegades are the first franchise offered for a complete sale to private owners. Hours later, reports confirmed that RPSG Group, owners of Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, has expressed interest in buying the team.
If the deal goes through, Sanjiv Goenka’s RPSG Group would become the first cricket ownership group to hold franchise teams across four continents.
The Renegades licence is available as a 100% stake, effective from the 2027-28 BBL and WBBL seasons. The franchise has been operating under Cricket Australia caretaker management, making it the simplest candidate for the first sale.
CA introduced what it calls a “self-determination” model. Each state decides independently whether and when to pursue private investment.
Victoria, Tasmania, and Western Australia support the move. New South Wales and Queensland oppose it, while South Australia remains undecided.
Cricket Australia retains control over international scheduling, player availability, salary caps, media rights, and has veto power over prospective investors. CA has described the privatisation as a “$1 billion” move for the BBL.
“By opening the door to private investment in the Big Bash Leagues, Cricket Australia is taking a deliberate step to strengthen and secure the long-term future of the game, accelerate growth.”
Mike Baird, CA Chairman, September 8, 2026
SEN Cricket estimates each BBL franchise is worth between AUD $150 million and $200 million.
RPSG’s Four-Continent Play
RPSG Group’s cricket portfolio already spans three leagues across three continents.
| League | Team | Stake | Acquisition | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL (India) | Lucknow Super Giants | 100% | 2021 | Rs 7,090 crore (~$850M) |
| SA20 (South Africa) | Durban’s Super Giants | 100% | 2022 | ~$11M |
| The Hundred (England) | Manchester Super Giants | 70% | 2025 | £100M+ valuation |
| BBL (Australia) | Melbourne Renegades | Target | 2026 | TBD |
The pattern is deliberate. RPSG entered South Africa’s SA20 at ground level in 2022 for a fraction of what IPL cost.
It took a controlling 70% stake in The Hundred’s Manchester franchise in July 2025, rebranding it Manchester Super Giants. Every team carries the Super Giants name, and every acquisition has been larger than the last.
RPSG is not the only Indian group circling the BBL. Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Rajasthan Royals are all positioned to bid.
State CEOs have already visited Mumbai for preliminary discussions with Indian investors. The Hobart Hurricanes, Perth Scorchers, and Melbourne Stars have also signalled interest in attracting private investment.
Insider Read
Owning teams in four leagues is not just a branding exercise. It builds a scouting and development pipeline that no single-league franchise can replicate.
A player identified during Durban’s SA20 campaign in January can be tracked through The Hundred in August and tested in the IPL in April. The BBL’s December window completes the cycle, giving RPSG year-round visibility on emerging T20 talent across every major market.
Coaching staff, analytics infrastructure, and playing philosophy travel across all four teams. That connected network cuts recruitment costs, reduces auction risk, and gives RPSG first sight of players no other ownership group in cricket can currently match.
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The deal is not done. The Australian Cricketers’ Association has stated that no franchise sale can proceed without its agreement.
The ACA currently receives 27.5% of Australian Cricket Revenue and is pushing for 33%. Whether private investment proceeds count as part of that revenue remains unresolved.
Pat Cummins said privatisation “can be a great thing for the sport” if done well, but added that scheduling changes are needed before international players commit to the BBL regularly.
NSW officials argue privatisation is a short-term fix, and Queensland agrees. Their resistance will not block the Renegades sale, but it will shape how fast the rest of the league follows.
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