Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders Reassess Interest in The Hundred
In a surprising turn of events, Indian Premier League (IPL) giants Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are expressing doubts regarding the business model of England’s burgeoning white-ball domestic tournament, The Hundred. Reports suggest that the two franchises are reconsidering their initial interest in acquiring teams for the competition.
The crux of the issue lies with the media rights projections put forth by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). According to sources, the ECB anticipates a staggering increase in broadcast revenue for overseas markets, predicting a valuation of GBP 34 million per year for the 2029-32 broadcast cycle—approximately 16 times the current value. This ambitious projection is viewed by CSK and KKR as unrealistic and overly optimistic, leading to their hesitance.
While CSK and KKR have not formally withdrawn from the bidding process, insiders indicate that they are unlikely to participate actively. The initial enthusiasm from several IPL franchises has waned, with the exception of a few, including Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings, and Gujarat Titans, who have remained uninvolved.
The ECB is conducting the team selling process in phases, with expectations that each franchise will attract 3-4 bidders. The competition includes eight teams: Birmingham Phoenix, London Spirit, Manchester Originals, Northern Superchargers, Oval Invincibles, Southern Brave, Trent Rockets, and Welsh Fire. Notably, the ECB is reportedly not keen on selling all teams to IPL owners.
Current negotiations have entered their third round, with final deals anticipated between March and May. Among other interested bidders are the owners of Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants, alongside franchises like Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Delhi Capitals.
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