IPL VS MINI IPL?
In the owners’ meeting, BCCI discouraged moves that could “dilute the value of the IPL” © BCCI/IPL
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) seems to be seeing an alarming trend in the Indian Premier League (IPL) owners going overseas and participating in foreign leagues. At the owners’ meeting in Kochi on Friday (December 23) morning, held on the sidelines of the IPL auction, the BCCI officials seemed to discourage the franchises from participating in foreign leagues.
“That was the point. They tried to discourage them from participating in foreign leagues. They understood those who are already there. But they tried to dissuade us from taking such steps in the future,” said an official of a team who was present at the meeting.
At this point, three IPL teams – Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals – are part of the UAE league (ILT20) and six teams – Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, SunRisers Hyderabad, Lucknow Super Giants, Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals – are part of the league in South Africa (SA20). In fact, all six teams in SA20 are IPL subsidiaries and it is being seen as a mini-IPL. Besides, in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), two IPL franchises – Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings – are participating.
The BCCI did not exactly object to the IPL franchises’ presence in foreign leagues but was evidently was not amused. “They were suggesting that our presence in foreign leagues could dilute the value of the IPL,” said the official. Among those present at the meeting were BCCI secretary Jay Shah and IPL chairman Arun Singh Dhumal.
When asked about it, Dhumal played it safe and gave a rather politically correct answer. “Not really. Other boards have all the right to start their leagues. But we have seen that the IPL is way ahead. A few of them (franchise owners) have interests in other leagues. They have to look after their business interests. We can’t stop them. They have money in their kitty, so it is their choice,” Dhumal said.
Among other issues at the meeting, the BCCI brought up the matter of centralised merchandising. The suggestion was that both the BCCI/IPL and the franchises will collaborate and get involved in the merchandising which could benefit all parties, including the fans. The BCCI also promised the upgradation of infrastructure to the teams at the IPL venues.
© Cricbuzz
