The Big Bash League could be reduced to 43 games from as soon as next summer, with Cricket Australia open to bringing forward changes if teams and broadcasters agree.
Tuesday's TV rights announcement signalled the biggest change to the BBL in five years, with 18 games to be slashed and the tournament to fit in the school-holiday window.
Those changes are only scheduled to come into effect from 2024-25 when the new TV rights deal begins, leaving next season to remain at 61 matches.
However, AAP has been told that there would be a willingness from organisers to see the move ushered in early if backed by broadcasters, given both Seven and Foxtel had been supportive of a shorter season.
The biggest challenges could come from venue agreements and sponsorships, while Seven also gains rights to stream matches they broadcast in the next cycle.
"The current season is one of the best we have had in a number of years. We're in the middle of a strong resurgence in the BBL," League boss Alistair Dobson told AAP.
"While the new agreement comes into place after BBL14, we will sit down with all our partners, clubs, stakeholders and players and look at this season and what might be the best structure for the BBL13 season that is in between."
The push for a reduced season had been considered by CA for the past two years before gaining the support of broadcasters, after initially going to 14 rounds in 2018-19.
The tournament regularly pulls in between 800,000 to 900,000 viewers for simulcast matches on Seven and Fox, while that number drops significantly for afternoon games.
Those afternoon matches will be cut in the shortened season, with the competition to largely comprise of one game a night and Foxtel to broadcast double-headers on Saturday evenings.
Clumps of games in the same city and matches being played in the same state as Tests will also be easier to avoid.
Dobson is also hopeful the move into a condensed school-holiday period will help ensure a stronger contingent of overseas players, with many taking December as a rest period.
"We spend a lot of time talking to overseas players and agents about what would continue to make the BBL a really attractive proposition for them," Dobson said.
"They talk a lot about the global cricket calendar, and the opportunity for the BBL to carve out a position within that, that is workable to overseas players.
"We're optimistic for them to be able to come out and play a full BBL season in a time frame that suits the global calendar. That sets us up really well."
