The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) is considering starting a Tier-2 league like the IPL. This one, though, would be in the T10 format and happen around September-October. While the idea is only starting to take shape, it already has support from key players and potential sponsors. Meanwhile, BCCI secretary Jay Shah is figuring out the specifics.
According to Moneycontrol, the board is motivated by the IPL’s success, which has changed the sport since its debut in 2008. People acquainted with the developments feel that the T10 format will be critical in boosting the popularity of the sport in the country even further than it is already.
The report adds that the board aims to tackle some problems linked to the potential launch of a new league. This includes the league’s structure and other elements influencing the IPL.
A) Should they go ahead with the idea of a T10 league or stick to T20 (the current proposal, though, is for T10)?
B) Should the league have an age cap for the players so that the new property doesn’t eat into the popularity of the IPL?
C) Should the franchises for this new league be sold through a separate tender process or can the existing IPL franchises be given the right of first refusal (there’s a mention of it in the existing contracts)?
D) Should the proposed tournament be played in India or have a new venue every year?
There is a clause in the contracts between the BCCI and the IPL franchises that gives the latter first refusal for any economic model’similar’ to the IPL that the board intends to implement.
According to sources, the BCCI will follow that condition before concluding anything.
“Whenever the BCCI decides to launch a new property, points A and C will always continue to remain the same given that cricket sells like no other product in India. It is point b that the BCCI might want to think twice about,” say those tracking developments.
India is like an unused resource for the T10 format. This type of competition has been happening in the UAE and the United States, and it’s been successful there.
Sources Reveal BCCI’s Revenue-Sharing Model for T10 League, Fear for Future of 50-over Cricket
The eventual supremacy of franchise cricket over bilateral cricket has been predicted, especially given how things have proceeded in recent years.
Except for ICC tournaments across formats and a few showpiece series, no other international affairs can rival with the unrelenting intensity of franchise-based competitions throughout the world.
The existing revenue-sharing approach benefits just a small number of countries. At the present, bilateral series are not compelling enough to broadcasters, and this may not change.
“A potential revenue-sharing model with the BCCI could help these boards on the financial front. “But if that happens, it could signal the death of 50-over cricket sooner than one thinks,” say those fearing the ‘inevitable’.
