Saudi Arabia is planning to launch a high-profile T20 cricket league following its investments in football, golf, and several other sports. However, the proposed T20 league is unlikely to gain support from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
Saudi Arabia’s SRJ Sports Investments, backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has pledged to launch a global T20 cricket league with an investment of $400 million. The project is expected to feature eight teams competing in four tournaments each year across various international venues.
BCCI, ECB Refuse to Back Saudi Arabia’s Ambitious ₹34,000 crore T20 League
According to The Guardian, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have decided to oppose Saudi Arabia’s proposed T20 league to protect their own marquee competitions.
The boards agreed to deny No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to their players during recent discussions at the World Test Championship final at Lord’s. Notably, the BCCI and ECB also plan to lobby the ICC to withhold official recognition or support for the Saudi-backed tournament.
“During discussions at the World Test Championship final at Lord’s this month, the ECB and BCCI agreed to unite in opposing the new league. The boards agreed they would not issue “no objection certificates” to their players to sign up for the new competition, as well as lobbying the International Cricket Council (ICC) to withhold their endorsement,” the newspaper wrote.
Cricket Australia Open to Saudi Arabia’s Proposed T20 League
However, Cricket Australia (CA) is interested in partnering with Saudi Arabia’s T20 league. CA sees this as an opportunity to secure a financial boost. The Big Bash League (BBL) franchises are still owned by CA and its state associations.
“Under plans that emerged in Australia this year, Saudi’s SRJ Sports Investments has pledged to inject USD 400m to set up the new league, which would have eight teams playing four tournaments in different locations each year in a set-up that has been compared to tennis’s Grand Slams,” The Guardian wrote.
Cricket South Africa Earned Over £100 Million by Selling SA20 Franchises
The Indian Premier League (IPL) remains the most valuable cricket tournament, with an estimated worth of $12 billion. Meanwhile, the ECB recently sold a 49% stake in its ‘Hundred’ franchises for around £520 million (approximately $700 million USD).
According to The Guardian, Cricket South Africa also secured over £100 million (USD 136 million) by selling SA20 league franchises to IPL team owners three years ago.
“Cricket South Africa raised more than GBP 100m (USD 136 million) by selling franchises in its SA20 competition to Indian Premier League owners three years ago,” the report added.
According to the report, the International Cricket Council, which is currently headed by former BCCI secretary Jay Shah, is unlikely to take any steps that go against the interests of the Indian board.
Notably, on May 9, 2024, the ICC announced a four-year extension of its global sponsorship agreement with Aramco, Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil giant.
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