Investor interest in the Pakistan Super League’s two new franchises has surged as PCB sets the January 8 auction.
Business figures from Pakistan, the United Kingdom, the United States and other countries are keen to acquire ownership of the seventh and eighth PSL teams.
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The Pakistan Cricket Board is set to finalise the new franchise owners through a competitive bidding scheduled for January 8.
The development comes as the PCB moves forward with the league’s planned expansion to take effect from PSL 11. Officials say the response from potential investors is growing in the league’s commercial model and long-term revenue potential.
The board has already finalised a detailed financial framework for the new franchises. Under the approved model, the incoming teams will be treated on similar lines to existing franchises. They will be entitled to receive up to 95% of revenues generated through the PSL’s central income pool.
The PCB has also approved a minimum revenue guarantee to attract bidders and reduce financial risk in the early years.
The seventh and eighth teams are set to receive around Rs850 million each from PSL 11 through the next five editions of the tournament. The guarantee applies to the franchise share from the central pool to ensure income stability during the initial seasons.
PCB officials said that the board will compensate the difference if a franchise’s actual share from the central pool falls below the guaranteed amount in any season.
The objective is aimed at protecting investors against fluctuations in revenues during the league’s expansion phase.
PCB has also clearly defined Franchise branding rules which allow successful bidders to include a city name as part of the team’s name. It will be subject to prior written approval from the PCB. However, the board has not allowed to use commercial or trade brand names.
The board has also barred new teams from adopting suffixes which are currently associated with existing franchises. The incoming teams also cannot use Names such as Qalandars, Kings, United, Zalmi, Gladiators and Sultans to ensure brand distinction across the league.
PCB will also keep team branding under strict regulatory oversight. Franchise logos will require prior written approval from the PCB.
Moreover, the board has not allowed inclusion of commercial brand names or logos within team identities. PCB has instructed all bidders to submit a proposed team name and logo as part of their technical proposals.
The board has also outlined Revenue-sharing arrangements under the central pool in detail. All participant franchises will make equal distribution of income generated from each PSL tournament’s central pool.
From PSL 11 through PSL 20, each franchise will be entitled to a fixed minimum percentage share from the central pool, alongside rights to use the franchise brand and retain income generated independently.
Franchises will receive 95% of media rights revenue after the deduction of taxes, production costs and licensing fees.
The same percentage will apply to earnings from sponsorships and ticket sales. Central licensing income will be shared at 85% among franchises. The franchise fees paid by teams will not be included in the central pool.
The PSL Governing Council will have the authority to increase the franchise percentage share for one or more tournaments. But it depends on commercial performance and market conditions. The board will reassess and determine franchise percentage shares after the completion of the 20th edition of the league.
PCB has also clarified ownership transfer rules for prospective investors. Successful bidders will not be allowed to sell their franchise or transfer ownership during the initial three-year period. From the fourth year onward, the board allows ownership transfers subject to prior written approval from the PCB.
Any approved transfer will require the payment of a transfer fee which will be equivalent to 10% of the annual franchise fee. The restriction is aimed at promoting long-term commitment and stability among franchise owners during the league’s expansion phase.
