The Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) has been a transformative force in Australian sport, but its current status as a boardroom afterthought is a missed opportunity. The WBBL's creation in 2015 marked a shift in how Australian cricket viewed women's cricket, recognizing its potential to attract fans, sponsors, and investment. This belief helped transform not only Australian cricket but also Australian sport, leading to unprecedented participation growth and the creation of household names. The WBBL's success is evident in the sold-out MCG for the Women's T20 World Cup final in 2020, the largest women's sporting event ever held in Australia. However, despite the WBBL's achievements, it has been largely overlooked in the recent debate surrounding the privatization of cricket. This is a mistake, as investors worldwide are increasingly recognizing women's teams as significant growth opportunities. The WBBL's potential is further underscored by the recent launch of the Women's Premier League, which received over $800 million for five licenses. Around the world, funds worth more than $2 billion have been directed towards investing in women's sport properties. In the US, the National Women's Soccer League expansion fees have grown 200-fold since 2020, and the WNBA's Golden State Valkyries recently became the world's first billion-dollar women's sport team. Despite these opportunities, not a single dollar from the $2 billion has been directed at Australia. The cricketing public is being told that women's cricket isn't part of the main game, and this is a mistake. The WBBL's potential for growth and investment is significant, and it should be a key part of the privatization debate. The WBBL's success in attracting fans, sponsors, and investment, combined with the increasing global recognition of women's teams, makes it a crucial asset for Australian cricket. The WBBL's current status as a boardroom afterthought is a missed opportunity, and it is time for the cricketing public to recognize its value and potential.
