Cricket Australia is developing a revised proposal that would allow individual state cricket associations to independently decide whether and when to sell stakes in their Big Bash League clubs.

The plan, described internally as a ‘self-determination model’, follows the collapse of an earlier proposal that faced resistance from several states, including New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia.Under the new approach, each state would be free to sell part or all of its BBL franchise to private investors or choose not to participate at all.Investors would receive a proportional share of future club profits and broadcast revenue based on their ownership stake.

The model also proposes the creation of a separate commercial entity to oversee the BBL, with its own chief executive and board representing Cricket Australia, state associations and private investors.

The proposed commercial structure would operate as a for-profit company, unlike Cricket Australia and the state associations, which remain not-for-profit organisations focused on grassroots funding.States choosing to delay any sale may eventually pay a financial ‘tax’ compared with states that sell earlier and secure immediate investment.Negotiations remain sensitive after the previous sale proposal failed in April.State associations continue to express concerns over governance, future revenue sharing, financial forecasts and Cricket Australia’s operating costs.

Cricket NSW, in particular, remains cautious and is pursuing an alternative strategy while questioning whether Cricket Australia’s commercial operations are delivering sufficient value.The discussions also occur alongside Cricket Australia’s growing interest in closer commercial ties with India.

Executives recently travelled to Mumbai and Chennai to explore opportunities linked to the Indian Premier League and the possibility of staging a BBL match in India next summer.

Former Australian captain Mark Taylor criticised the idea of overseas BBL matches during the domestic Test season, warning that commercial expansion should not come at the expense of Australian cricket’s long-term development and traditional formats.