Cricket Australia is moving forward with plans to restructure the Big Bash League (BBL) following a board meeting held this Wednesday. The governing body is now exploring a 'hybrid model' that would involve the partial sale of existing franchises to private investors. This shift comes after a more aggressive proposal for the wholesale privatization of the league was blocked by state associations, specifically New South Wales and Queensland, earlier this April.

The proposed expansion to 10 teams is contingent upon the approval of this new ownership structure. The hybrid approach appears to be a compromise following an alternative model suggested by South Australia, which sought to address concerns raised by the states regarding the initial privatization plan. While the board has signaled its intent to pursue this path, the exact timeline and the specific criteria for the potential new franchises remain under discussion. The move represents a significant change in strategy for the organization as it seeks to balance commercial growth with the interests of the state-based cricket bodies that currently hold influence over the league's operations.