Cricket Australia has introduced a new contract structure for the Big Bash League (BBL) and Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) that allows clubs to sign one overseas player on a multi-year deal outside of the drafts. This move aims to prevent players from leaving early for other leagues, a trend that has impacted the BBL in recent seasons.Explore how BBL’s new multi-year overseas contracts aim to retain players and enhance league competitiveness
Under the new rules, clubs can sign an overseas player to a multi-year deal before the drafts, but they must still draft at least two more players. Players who sign a contract before the draft, whether for a single year or up to three years, cannot be retained by their former club, adding a new layer of complexity to player retention strategies.
The introduction of multi-year contracts allows clubs to negotiate deals at any price, potentially exceeding the current overseas draft platinum contract of AUD$420,000. However, clubs must still ensure that all 18 players in their squad fit under the AUD$3 million salary cap (AUD$110,000 for the WBBL platinum level).
One key stipulation of the new contracts is that players signed before the draft must be available for the entire tournament, including finals, after the next season. This ensures greater stability and strategic planning for clubs, while also enhancing the league’s global appeal.
The move comes in response to the exodus of overseas players to other leagues, which has affected the BBL in recent years. The scheduling of leagues like the Indian T20 League (ILT20) and the South African T20 League (SA20) alongside the BBL has incentivized players to maximize their earnings by playing in multiple leagues, leading to chaotic player movement.
The BBL’s decision to allow multi-year contracts with availability requirements partly mitigates against player exits from 2025 onwards. However, clubs can only sign one player to such a deal, and they must still draft two more players, leaving the BBL vulnerable to players leaving the tournament early due to existing deals in other leagues.
It remains to be seen how effective the new contracts will be in keeping players in the BBL for a full season compared to the money on offer in other leagues. The WBBL will also adopt the new contract structure, replacing the direct nomination route used in the previous season.
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