> Big Money flows into IPL

Safin

Judging by the amount of money being thrown in and the international interest in the venture, it seems IPL has to take off.

Real estate major DLF, Mukesh Ambani-promoted Reliance Industries, cinema production and distribution company Eros International, Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group and Videocon Industries are believed to be readying to bid for team ownership rights in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

IPL is scheduled to start in April this year with eight cricketing teams playing against each other. The league will have 56 matches in the Twenty20 format.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which floated the league, has decided to sell the team rights to corporates. A team could include both international and domestic players.

Speaking to Business Standard, Lalit Modi, vice-president, BCCI, said, “Till date, 40 corporates have bought the tender.” He, however, refused to name the companies.

DLF, Reliance may bid for IPL teams

The big corporates, which are believed to be readying to bid for rights over the Mumbai Team for BCCI’s Indian Premier League (IPL), include Reliance Industries Group, Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG), Pantaloon promoter Kishore Biyani, UB Group Chairman Vijay Mallaya - who is also bidding for Bangalore Team, real estate major DLF, cinema production and distribution company Eros International to Videocon Industries. Companies, funds and consortiums have bought the invitation to tender the document. This document allows them to place bids for IPL franchises.

And even Sachin is planning to take a stake

According to reports in the media, Sachin Tendulkar could have a stake in the ownership of the Mumbai team that will be part of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Future Group and the Manipal Group, have already entered into a joint venture with Tendulkar for the launch of a variety of products in the health supplement, sports goods, fitness equipment and lifestyle accessories categories, a report in the Economic Times said. But Rajiv Shukla, BCCI vice-president and a member of the IPL’s governing council, ruled out the possibility of Tendulkar owning a team.

If they actually pull it off, it will do this country's sport a lot of favour. Regional rivalry developing will then extend to Hockey, Football and other sports too and there is a huge potential to be tapped there. But then all these guys are also in action at the Challenger trophy and apart from some people in host city, no one actually notices that tourney.

KingKrool

The problem I have with the IPL is they don't seem to be interested in domestic players. Has the BCCI made any rules regarding this?

Safin

Yes i think there is a limit of maximum 6 foreign players or something.

Having said that even if 3-4 guys from domestic level get a chance, they will still be competing with the best in the world. All that is true however if there are crowds who come to see and watch them as thats the only thing that will bring out the best performance.