The Big Bash League (BBL) has long been Australia's premier T20 competition, but a storm is brewing on the horizon. With rival leagues like South Africa's SA20 throwing around bigger paychecks, some of Australia's biggest cricket stars could be tempted to jump ship by 2028.

The arrival of Pakistani superstars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan has certainly boosted the BBL's profile—and player salaries. Babar reportedly pocketed between AUD 270,000 and 320,000 in the 2025-26 season, placing him among the league's most expensive foreign imports. Rizwan, a Platinum-category player, earned around AUD 270,000 as well.

But here's the catch: despite these gains, local stars like Pat Cummins, David Warner, and Glenn Maxwell—who currently top the BBL's Australian earnings chart—still aren't the highest-paid players in their own league. Overseas talent consistently commands bigger contracts, and that disparity is starting to grate on homegrown talent.

Reports from The Age suggest growing frustration among Australian players over the salary gap between the BBL and other T20 tournaments. While the BBL has made strides in recent years, SA20's financial muscle continues to grow, luring top talent with shorter formats and fatter remuneration packages.

Former Cricket Australia chief executive Malcolm Speed has voiced concerns that if CA doesn't act fast, the league could face a massive talent exodus in the next two seasons. The question now is whether the BBL can keep its stars shining bright—or watch them chase bigger paydays elsewhere.