The Indian Premier League is already one of the most popular sports leagues in the world, and now its reach is expanding to new continents.
IPL franchise owners are reportedly set to purchase all six teams in South Africa’s new T20 league, according to ESPNcricinfo.
- The league will begin play in January 2023.
- The owners and parent companies of the Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Lucknow Super Giants, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, and Delhi Capitals placed winning bids for T20’s six teams.
- The league, which is run by Cricket South Africa in partnership with broadcaster SuperSport, is expected to announce the new owners once the deals are finalized.
Twenty20, or T20, is a form of cricket designed to be shorter than traditional cricket, in which matches can last for days.
Cricket’s Big Leap
IPL owners have established a global presence. The Kolkata Knight Riders are a founding member of the U.S.-based Major League Cricket, which is set to begin play in 2023. The team’s ownership group invested around $30 million in a dedicated cricket stadium in Orange County, California.
Another IPL franchise is working to join the six-team T20 league.
The IPL also has a presence through its team owners in the Caribbean Premier League and the United Arab Emirates-based International League T20.
