Players consider BBL contract release requests following Melbourne merger

Multiple Melbourne Stars and Renegades players are seeking urgent one-on-one meetings with Cricket Victoria over last week’s sensational merger of the two BBL clubs, amid questions over the status of their contracts and the identities of the teams.

Player queries over the move are many, and go well beyond concerns about when they were told of CV’s decision, according to three cricket industry sources familiar with the matter.

Several players have already discussed whether they are entitled to be released from their contracts, given the material changes that have taken place to the Stars and Renegades teams as a result of the merger.

There is a lengthy queue of players eager to meet with CV chief executive Nick Cummins this week to answer questions about the prospective merger and its implications. Cummins reiterated to this masthead that much about the merger remained unresolved.

“There is more to play out and there’s still details that need to be finalised about it,” he said. “It’s complicated, which is never easy to explain.”

Cummins said some players were understanding, some had a preference to move clubs if possible, and others were waiting on club coaching appointments before making up their minds. Current Renegades coach Cameron White is set to coach the rebranded Stars team, with current Stars coach Peter Moores potentially staying on as a senior assistant.

Numerous key players were signed to new contracts in recent times in the expectation they would be playing for the same club.

Ollie Peake signed with the Renegades for two years in January, while Glenn Maxwell did likewise for the Stars.

Will Sutherland extended his Renegades deal in 2024 to take him out to 2028, but is also captain of the Victorian state side.

Last week CV made it clear that it would be the former Stars team that would be effectively rebranded as Victoria’s team, while the Renegades’ licence would be changed to whatever identity best suited its buyer.

Stars captain Marcus Stoinis has signed a contract through to the end of this summer, while Australia’s No.1 white ball spin bowler Adam Zampa is out of contract.

Also off-contract is Nathan Lyon, who signed a three-year deal with the Renegades in 2023.

“I wonder if that is because the Stars knew they were never going to win?” Lyon quipped when asked about the merger.

“It’s obviously fresh and I’m off contract with the Renegades. They’re a great organisation and I am intrigued to see where it lands and where it goes with the other Melbourne side.”

Lyon is still named as a Renegades player on the club website.

Cricket Victoria’s announcement about a merger between the Stars and Renegades with the introduction of a new, privately owned club has created confusion, uncertainty and anxiety among players, Australian Cricketers Association chief executive Paul Marsh said last week.

“Whilst this may or may not happen at some point in the future, we reiterate that there is a process to play out here before this can occur.”

In parallel, informal talks are continuing between CA and CV over caretaker arrangements for the Renegades, pending approval of the interim model by the CA board.

Former Stars general manager Max Abbott will be caretaker general manager of the Renegades, while former Renegades general manager James Rosengarten runs the new “Team Victoria”, now likely to be renamed the Rangers.

It remains highly likely that the Renegades will take the field this season under their current name, with merchandise orders for club uniforms having already gone out.

The former Melbourne Stars team have asked for extra time from their apparel supplier, New Balance, while the name and uniform of the club is still being finalised.