India’s cricket board will consider adding two new teams to the popular Indian Premier League franchise-based tournament, according to the agenda of the governing body’s annual general meeting scheduled to be held later this month.
The IPL, which has an estimated brand value of $9.6 billion, drew record television and digital viewership during its 2020 season amid the turmoil of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The IPL currently has eight franchises and its latest edition was held in the United Arab Emirates without fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have been thinking in terms of a 10-team IPL for some time now, and we’d like to have two new teams from 2021, if possible,” an IPL governing council member requesting anonymity told Reuters.
Local media has reported in the past that Indian conglomerates Adani Group and RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, which owned the Rising Pune Supergiant franchise for two IPL seasons, have shown interest in buying new teams.
-Reuters
