The Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed tremendous growth over the last decade and a half. Be it financially, or cricket-wise, India’s T20 league has been one of the most successful ventures in the country. The BCCI and the owners of participant franchises like CSK, MI, and other franchises have made lots of profit due to the crowd and advertisements the matches pull. Owing to the same, IPL has already spread its wings over the global T20 League market.
Red Chillies Entertainment –the owner-company of KKR– was the first IPL franchise to buy a team in a T20 League other than IPL. They bought CPL’s Trinbago Knight Riders back in 2016. In the recent past, RR & PBKS have also bought ownerships of a team each in the Caribbean Premier League while DC and Kolkata have acquired the rights to a UAE T20 league franchise each.
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According to the latest media reports, the informal auction for South Africa’s new T20 league has already been held. CSK, MI, and RR, amongst a few other IPL franchises, have bought all the six teams that’ll feature in South Africa’s RSA T20 league.
Chennai Super Kings Pvt. Ltd. made the highest bid at the auction table and bought the rights for Johannesburg. Lucknow Super Giants have acquired the Durban-based team. Mumbai Indians’ parent company Reliance Industries has bought the Cape Town franchise while Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal owns the Pretorian side from the RSA T20 league.
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The upcoming South Africa T20 league will take place in January 2023. CSA has scrapped their tour of Australia to accommodate the upcoming league which is their “top priority.” South African former cricketer and captain, Graeme Smith will be the operational head of the T20 league.
Smith had said, “I’m deeply committed to South African cricket and happy to serve the game as best I can. I am excited by the opportunity to deliver the new league, which I believe will be an extremely competitive product.”