Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades will remain active franchises for the upcoming 2026-27 Big Bash League (BBL) and Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) seasons despite Cricket Victoria’s recent decision to merge the operations of the two clubs.
The move comes after significant uncertainty across Australian cricket following Cricket Victoria’s announcement earlier this month, which sparked debate among stakeholders and fans regarding the future of both Melbourne-based franchises.
A key development occurred on Monday when state cricket chairs agreed “in principle” to a hybrid privatisation model for the BBL. Under this framework, individual states would have the flexibility to determine whether they wish to sell ownership stakes in their respective BBL clubs. However, progress remains dependent on securing support from the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA), which is pushing for changes to player remuneration structures.
Cricket Victoria had previously surprised many within the sport by proceeding with the merger announcement before Cricket Australia (CA) had formally approved any privatisation framework. The decision reportedly led to tense discussions between Cricket Victoria, Cricket Australia, and other state associations.
Although Cricket Victoria has filed trademarks for potential new team names—including Rangers, Blazers, and Magic—the Melbourne Stars brand will continue unchanged for the 2026-27 season. Meanwhile, the Melbourne Renegades will operate under temporary management led by former Stars general manager Max Abbott, with financial backing from Cricket Victoria.
In a joint communication sent to members, both clubs confirmed that rebranding plans have been postponed.
“Due to the extended timeline surrounding a final decision on BBL privatisation, we have decided not to proceed with a rebranded team for the upcoming season,” the statement said.
Industry sources suggest there is optimism among some stakeholders that an agreement on privatisation, including ACA approval, could be reached within the next month. If successful, BBL franchises may begin testing market valuations as early as October. However, several state associations remain cautious about the speed at which negotiations can be completed.
Before the latest vote, ACA Chief Executive Paul Marsh informed players that the union could not support the current privatisation proposal. One of the major issues under discussion is player compensation, with domestic cricketers expressing concerns over overseas stars receiving significantly higher guaranteed earnings.
The ACA is reportedly seeking an increase in players’ share of cricket revenue under the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), raising it from 27.5 percent to 30 percent. Cricket Australia has shown resistance to the proposal, setting the stage for further negotiations in the coming weeks.
Current Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg, who previously led the ACA, is expected to play an important role in facilitating discussions between the governing body and player representatives.
Separately, ACA officials are scheduled to meet with Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades players to address concerns arising from the merger announcement and provide clarity ahead of the next season. While Cricket Victoria previously confirmed that player lists would remain unaffected in the short term, both clubs still need to finalize their squads once the current contract embargo is lifted.
Monday’s vote also marked a significant shift in support among state associations. New South Wales and Queensland, which had initially opposed a full privatisation model, joined South Australia in backing the hybrid approach. Victoria, Western Australia, and Tasmania have supported privatisation efforts since earlier this year.
The outcome of ongoing negotiations between Cricket Australia, state associations, and the ACA is expected to shape the future ownership structure of the Big Bash League and influence the competition’s long-term commercial strategy.
