Photo Credit: Sydney Thunder
The Big Bash Leagues will introduce a Player Movement Window, following each of the Weber WBBL|10 and KFC BBL|14 seasons, to assist players and clubs to make earlier contracting decisions.
As well as the introduction of the new Windows, there will be a change to the regular Contracting Embargo periods.
Further details on these adjustments are below.
Player Movement Windows
Windows will be open for 10 days after both the Weber WBBL|10 and KFC BBL|14 Finals, during which time clubs may execute new player contracts in specific circumstances.
Window dates:
- WBBL: Monday, December 2, 2024, 9:00am AEDT to Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 5:00pm AEDT.
- BBL: Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 9:00am AEDT to Thursday, February 6, 2025, 5:00pm AEDT.
During each Window, clubs can:
- Trade a player with another club.
- Sign a player from another club who is in the final year of their current contract.
- Trade Overseas Player Draft positions as part or independent of player trades.
Clubs may not extend existing player contracts during the Window, including those players in the final year of their current contract. These contracts must be extended prior to the Contracting Embargo, or after it is lifted (see below).
Clubs will be bound by the following maximum list sizes:
- WBBL: Up to eight players prior to the Window, and 10 at its completion.
- BBL: Up to 10 players prior to the Window, and 12 at its completion.
A club’s pre-signed overseas player will count towards these limits, should they be contracted to the club.
Contracting Embargo
The WBBL and BBL Contracting Embargoes will commence at the end of each League’s home and away season, having previously begun at the start of The Final.
The 10-day Player Movement Window is the only time within the Contracting Embargo period that clubs can add players to their lists.
The League expects the WBBL and BBL contracting embargoes will lift in March 2025. Clubs may then add further players to their lists.
Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s Executive General Manager, Big Bash Leagues, said:
“The introduction of Player Movement Windows immediately following the Weber WBBL|10 and KFC BBL|14 seasons will add another strategic dimension to our Leagues.
“The Windows will add certainty and stability for players and clubs at a crucial period in the list management cycle.
“These new milestones on the Big Bash calendar will also increase talkability among our fans, broadcasters and the media as we grow our year-round presence.
“Our thanks go to our Big Bash clubs and the Australian Cricketers’ Association for their collaboration on this project.”
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Stay ahead of the latest cricket industry trends by subscribing to our free cricexec “daily briefing” newsletter.
Name of Author: Cricket Australia
Cricket Australia (CA), formerly the Australian Cricket Board (ACB), is the governing body for cricket in Australia. Established in 1905 as the Australian Board of Control for International Cricket, CA manages all national teams, including Men’s, Women’s, and Youth sides, as well as other national teams. It oversees the organization of Test matches, ODIs, and T20Is, and coordinates home international fixtures.
