Cricket Victoria filed to trademark Melbourne Rangers as the favored name for the rebranded BBL team.
Cricket Victoria has filed an application to register the name Melbourne Rangers as the potential new identity for the Melbourne Stars, pending approval in the ongoing privatization of the Big Bash League. The application, dated June 4, appears on the IP Australia portal where intellectual property requests are processed. The filing remains under review with a decision expected by September 3, though Cricket Australia must also grant final clearance before any change takes effect. The trademark covers equipment, merchandise, digital platforms, and mobile applications associated with the club.
Research conducted by Cricket Victoria indicated that a complete rebrand was necessary for the team they will soon own, as surveys showed Renegades fans were unlikely to back a renamed Stars squad. Instead, supporters of both clubs expressed more enthusiasm for a Victoria-focused outfit, prompting the push for a fresh identity. The new-look team is also set to adopt Victoria’s navy blue shade as its primary color scheme. Two alternative names, Magic and Blazers, are also under consideration according to reports.
The Rangers label pays homage to the Bushrangers, the former name of Victoria’s men’s state team which was retired in 2018. Cricket Victoria briefly weighed reviving Bushrangers but shelved the idea due to potential overlap with the existing Women’s Big Bash League side of the same name. The organization emphasized the need for a distinct identity that avoids confusion across both men’s and women’s competitions.
A special meeting of state representatives was arranged on the Thursday following the announcement to clarify Cricket Australia’s awareness of Victoria’s intentions. Victoria’s CEO Nick Cummins defended the decision, stating he prioritized staff stability amid deep uncertainty and aimed to position his organization for progress once a hybrid privatization model received formal approval. Further discussions are scheduled this week among state CEOs, with the next pivotal vote set for June 15 when board chairs will decide whether to permit interested states to pursue private investment in their BBL franchises.
Initially, Cricket Australia planned to privatize the entire tournament, but resistance from New South Wales and cautious stances from Queensland and South Australia derailed that approach. The governing body then pivoted to a framework allowing individual states to determine their own paths, giving them the flexibility to seek external funding or retain existing structures. This decentralized model aims to balance commercial growth with regional cricket priorities across the league.