Last Updated on 37 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
Reports pertaining to the privatisation of the Big Bash League (BBL) have taken the cricketing world by storm.
Fans across the globe have been waiting for more updates with respect to the developments on privatising the league. While some teams and boards across Australia are seemingly happy with CA’s decision, a few boards have openly expressed their disappointment.
Ever since Cricket Australia (CA) gave the green light for the Melbourne Renegades to be sold, there’s been a lot of confusion with regard to BBL 2026/27. The Renegades, who have been in the privatisation spotloght, recently appointed Max Abbott as their new General Manager.
Abbott, who was the GM of the Melbourne Stars, has now been entrusted with the task of managing this tricky period with the 2018/19 BBL champions.
During an exclusive interview with Arvind Kalyana Krishnan at Cricket Victoria’s headquarters in Melbourne for CricBlog, Max Abbott drew light on the current situation, and said that things are actually very clear for them. He stated that there’s going to be a change in ownership in the next 6-12 months, and thus, they’re currently working on a “one-season time horizon.”
The veteran sports management professional said they’re focused on delivering a successful season this time around.
Abbott also spoke about the rise of the BBL, and how the addition of bigger stars has acted as a catalyst to boosting the league’s popularity. He hinted at a few more signings, which they will be announcing soon. Lastly, he shared his experience of joining a new franchise, and leaving the Stars.
Max Abbott interview: Everything is clear regarding BBL 2026/27 for the Renegades
Below is the entire conversation between Arvind Kalyana Krishnan and Max Abbott:
Arvind Kalyana Krishnan: I have Max Abbott with me, who is a familiar face, but in a new jersey (Melbourne Renegades) I can see over here. So Max, you were with Stars, and now with Renegades……Are you happy for the new role? Or are you sad as you’re now not with Stars?
Max Abbott: Well, obviously, very excited for this season with the Melbourne Renegades. I loved my time at Stars. We had a great season there last year, but once you have a change and get really focused on the challenge ahead…. A day like today where we’re meeting all the members and players and you can’t not help and get enthused about what’s ahead. Especially you know I think there’s plenty motivation for the club this year. Really unique challenge and I think all of our staff are really looking forward to tackling it and you know, having a big season.
Arvind Kalyana Krishnan: We all know about the BBL privatisation. There are a few question marks. We’ve heard about Renegades, all set to be sold! So how is it in the management side of things? Do you have a clear picture of what’s to come or is it still confusing for you all?
Max Abbott: No, it’s actually really clear. We’re working with a one-season time horizon at the moment. We understand that there’s a process ongoing and there’s going to be a change in ownership most likely some stage in the next 6-12 months, how ever long that process takes.
But you know we’re absolutely laser focused on delivering an awesome season this year and then at the end of February, or come the end of the cricket season, then obviously we’ll have more information about what beyond this season looks like.
But essentially, all our staff have got a really clear picture of whether it’s for this season we want to have as much success as possible. We want to compete for both titles (BBL and WBBL) and kind of assess what’s behind that after the season.
Arvind Kalyana Krishnan: Big Bash League is widely considered as one of the biggest cricketing leagues in the world alongside the Indian Premier League. Last year, a lot of big stars were at the BBL. Like we had Rizwan at the Renegades. So after setting such huge standards, do you think that the upcoming season can make Melbourne Renegades and Big Bash a more bigger brand?
Max Abbott: Yeah, I think there’s another list of really impressive overseas players that have been signed so far. We haven’t announced our Men’s BBL signings as yet, but they’ll be coming in the next couple of weeks so we’re really confident that there’s some really good names that are interested to come play for us, so we’re excited to reveal that over the next couple of weeks.
Obviously on the women’s side, Hayley Matthews, Deandra Dottin, two big stars you know of the women’s game that we’ve got coming so I think the Big Bash by and large has always attracted names to play because it’s a very enjoyable league for players to play in.
There’s big crowds, big audiences on TV. So if you perform in the Big Bash then it’s going to get you interest from other leagues around the world. So, look, I think the Big Bash over the last three years has experienced significant amount of growth and I think there’s no reason to expect that that would not continue this year.
Arvind Kalyana Krishnan: When I interviewed you last year, you spoke about how you were hopeful of Stars doing an RCB. Now that you’re with Renegades, a team that has red, so is RCB’s colour red. Do you think like RCB won two back-to-back titles, can the Renegades now win this and the next one?
Max Abbott: (Laughs) Well, obviously the difference being that the Stars are yet to win a title so that was the link between them and RCB. I suppose for the Renegades they’ve won both the men’s and women’s title before. The women’s in fact it was only two years before when they were lifting the trophy and probably a few injuries last year means they’re coming back……Means that we’ve now got a really good platform to challenge for the title there, so look, there’s probably not a link between RCB this year but…..Yeah, we’ve got the red colour but that’s a pretty tenuous link so we’re just really pumped to you know, I just suppose, you know, prove a few people wrong and show how proud this club is and the way we do that is by putting on great entertainment, the kids and families come enjoy the cricket qnd put in good performances on the field.
