The BBL and WBBL drafts are set to take place on September 1, where the eight clubs in each competition will secure overseas players for the 2024-25 season. The draft process has undergone significant changes this year, with clubs now allowed to pre-sign one overseas player before the draft.
Draft Order and Rounds:
The draft order was determined by a weighted lottery based on last season’s finishing positions. In the WBBL, Hobart Hurricanes have the first pick, while Perth Scorchers have the last. In the BBL, Melbourne Stars will have the first pick, and Sydney Sixers will have the eighth.
The draft consists of four rounds, with each round featuring different player categories:
* Round 1: Platinum players
* Round 2: Platinum and Gold players
* Round 3: Gold and Silver players
* Round 4: Silver and Bronze players
Pre-Signed Players and Retention:
Clubs have already taken advantage of the new pre-signing rule, with all eight clubs securing at least one overseas player before the draft. These pre-signed players will be allocated to a specific round based on the value of their contract.
Each club also has one retention pick, which can be used to retain a player who played for the club the previous season or who was signed last year but did not play.
Player Availability:
The WBBL and BBL seasons have been reduced to 40 games each, which has impacted player availability. The WBBL starts just seven days after the T20 World Cup, and there are various bilateral cricket series scheduled during the competition.
In the BBL, most pre-signed players have committed to a full season, but some players drafted in the draft itself may leave early due to commitments to other T20 leagues.
Player Salaries:
Players are divided into four price bands based on their value:
* WBBL:
* Platinum: $110,000
* Gold: $90,000
* Silver: $65,000
* Bronze: up to $40,000
* BBL:
* Platinum: $360,000-$420,000
* Gold: $300,000
* Silver: $200,000
* Bronze: up to $100,000
