As the Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council confirmed the news of including two new franchises, the bidding for the two new teams will be done on 25 October. It is being reported that owners of English Premier League giants Manchester United, the Glazers Family, is interested in buying an IPL franchise.
Manchester United has picked up the Invitation To Tender (ITT), reported TOI. The BCCI made some amendments to the eligibility criteria of the new owners of IPL teams. Now, foreign equity companies can also buy an IPL franchise, thus Manchester United owners are also interested in buying a lucrative team in perhaps cricket's richest league.
"So, technically, overseas investors are eligible to submit a bid if they meet these conditions. We don't really know whether Man U owners will come to the bidding table. What we certainly know is that they've shown interest," said someone tracking the IPL developments to TOI.
IPL, which so far has eight teams participating in the cash-rich tournament, will become a 10-team affair. The new teams may have their home grounds in Ahmedabad, Lucknow or Pune and are expected to be unveiled on 25 October in Dubai.
Business houses such as Kotak Group, Aurobindo Pharma, Torrent Pharma, RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, Birla Group, and Adani Group have shown interest in joining the cricketing gala, reported PTI. However, only those satisfying the eligibility criteria set out in the ITT and subject to other terms and conditions would be eligible to bid.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), decided to extend the deadline to purchase the tender document for two new Indian Premier League (IPL) teams slated to be introduced in the 2022 season. The earlier date of 'Invitation to Tender' (ITT) document, issued by Governing Council of IPL has been postponed from 10 October 2021 to 20 October 2021.