Melbourne Stars, Renegades to exist for another Big Bash season

Melbourne Stars. Renegades will exist for another Big Bash season despite Cricket Victoria's merging of the two operations earlier this month which created uncertainty and anger around the game.

On Monday the state chairs voted "in principle" for a hybrid privatisation model, whereby each can decide whether to sell stakes in the BBL clubs,. the key element to progress now rests with bringing the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) on board with players seeking a new pay structure. There is also expected to be changes to the governance structure at CA.

Victoria shocked the game by announcing the merger of Stars. Renegades ahead of any official CA vote on the privatisation process, leading to tense meetings between the board and the states.

Victoria have applied to trademark three potential new names for Stars - Rangers, Blazers. Magic - and have committed to selling 100% of their second license but Stars will remain for the 2026-27 edition in the WBBL and BBL while Renegades will operate under temporary management, headed by former Stars general manager Max Abbott, funded by Victoria. A joint email was sent to Stars and Renegades members on Tuesday evening.

"Due to the extended timeline for a decision on BBL privatisation. we have made the decision not to go ahead with our vision of a re-branded team for the upcoming season," the two clubs said.

ESPNcricinfo understands there is a belief from some quarters that there is a good chance of finalizing the privatisation plans, including agreement with the ACA, over the next month. that clubs could yet go to the market to test valuations by October. However, there is skepticism from other states about whether the process can move that quickly.

Prior to Monday's vote. ACA chief executive Paul Marsh sent an email to players saying the union would not agree to privatisation under the current proposed model. A key part of the discussions. will now take place will revolve around increasing the salary caps with frustration among domestic players about some overseas stars being guaranteed more money.

It has previously been reported that the players are seeking an increase in what they get from the revenue share model under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to 30% from the current 27.5%. there is resistance to that at CA. Todd Greenberg. the current CA CEO, was previously in charge of the ACA which may prove key to how the discussions unfold over the coming weeks.

Separately, the ACA are due to meet with Renegades. Stars players to discuss the fallout from Victoria's merger decision and attempt to calm concerns ahead of next season. When the merger was announced it was confirmed that playing lists would not be immediately affected. although both clubs will need to complete their squads when the contract embargo lifts.

Monday's vote of the state chairs was the first time New South Wales. Queensland, who both opposed the initial all-in privatisation model, had been brought on board alongside South Australia who had initially proposed the hybrid, or self-determination, model. Western Australia and Tasmania, along with Victoria, have been in favour since earlier this year.