T20 superstar Glenn Maxwell has backed calls for an increased BBL salary cap, warning the competition for marquee players is only going to get fiercer.
Dwindling crowds, poor pitches and a lack of close matches have made for an underwhelming BBL season, exacerbated by a shortage of international stars.
Bona fide stars such as AB de Villiers and Andre Russell have instead flocked to the Bangladesh Premier League, lured by the convenience of a four-week season and more lucrative deals than the comparatively cash-strapped BBL clubs can afford.
Cricket Australia (CA) chief Kevin Roberts has indicated the league's $1.7 million salary cap will be reviewed but it may not satisfy broadcasters Seven and Fox Cricket, who reportedly want a "major" cap increase and additional marquee slots for each side.
Maxwell didn't believe the season had been lacking in star power but noted it had been a blow for his Melbourne Stars to lose Nepalese legspinning sensation Sandeep Lamichhane to the BPL midway through the tournament.
"I think when you're expanding the competition and making it 14 games (each), you've probably got to be expanding the salary cap a little bit more just to make sure you can get those signings in otherwise we are going to be competing," he said.
"I think the Pakistan Super League, the Emirates league, could start to take our overseas players and the Bangladesh Premier League's obviously got Sandeep throughout the middle of our tournament.
"We don't want to be competing with these other T20 leagues, we want people to be choosing the Big Bash as their first priority.
"Whether that be increasing the salary cap, I'm not really sure, or just having a separate salary cap for the overseas players entirely."
Any decision on the BBL salary cap would have to balance concerns about potentially taking opportunities and money away from domestic cricketers, and would require consultation with the Australian Cricketers' Association.
The expansion of the tournament to 59 games from 43 last summer has also proven divisive, with Brisbane Heat skipper Chris Lynn suggesting players were being burned out.
Maxwell labelled the longer season a work in progress.
"There's obviously going to be some backlash when you make changes to a great product which is the BBL," he said.
"I think if we give it some time it could grow on people but I could understand the debate about the long part of the tournament.
"For (the Stars), it's great because I don't think we were in the four after 10 games. We've got the opportunity to cement ourselves in that top four."
