Cricket Victoria plans second BBL franchise sale amid Stars-Renegades merger
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 3, 2026, 1:20 AM
Last updated Jun 3, 2026
Cricket Victoria announced that the Melbourne Stars and Renegades will merge, forming a single entity in the Big Bash League. The board is preparing to sell the second BBL license to a private investor, with IPL-affiliated groups Sun Group and Reliance Industries reportedly interested. This sale process could conclude within two months, pending approval from Cricket Australia, which is moving towards a privatization plan. The merged team will adopt new branding and the existing Stars players will join the new club for the 2026–27 season.
- •Melbourne Stars and Renegades merging into one BBL franchise.
- •Cricket Victoria intends to sell a second franchise license.
- •Sun Group and Reliance Industries show interest in buying the license.
- •Sale could be finalized within two months after Cricket Australia approval.
- •New merged team will not retain the Stars name or colors.
- 1:20 AMThe Guardian Sport — Melbourne Stars and Renegades killed off in latest Big Bash League privatisation move
- 5:27 PMYahoo Sports — Who could buy Cricket Victoria's second Melbourne BBL franchise? Potential new owners amid reported Stars-Renegades merger
"Cricket Victoria to operate just a single BBL team in future Second franchise to be sold off to private investor to raise funds Cricket Victoria has killed off both the Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades in an extraordinary reset triggered by the privatisation of Australian cricket. Chief executive Nick Cummins confirmed on Wednesday that Cricket Victoria would only operate a single BBL team from now on, potentially known as the Bushrangers, while the second franchise would be sold off to raise funds. Continue reading...
"Here is everything you need to know about who could buy Victoria's second Melbourne BBL franchise, what BBL privatisation means, and what happens to the Stars and Renegades.
Sources
External links- The Guardian SportJun 3, 2026, 1:20 AMMelbourne Stars and Renegades killed off in latest Big Bash League privatisation move
Cricket Victoria to operate just a single BBL team in future Second franchise to be sold off to private investor to raise funds Cricket Victoria has killed off both the Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades in an extraordinary reset triggered by the privatisation of Australian cricket. Chief executive Nick Cummins confirmed on Wednesday that Cricket Victoria would only operate a single BBL team from now on, potentially known as the Bushrangers, while the second franchise would be sold off to raise funds. Continue reading...
- Yahoo SportsJun 2, 2026, 5:27 PMWho could buy Cricket Victoria's second Melbourne BBL franchise? Potential new owners amid reported Stars-Renegades merger
Here is everything you need to know about who could buy Victoria's second Melbourne BBL franchise, what BBL privatisation means, and what happens to the Stars and Renegades.
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