Owners of some IPL teams have reportedly initiated informal talks with several international players over the possibility of offering them long-term contracts, which will see the players representing the franchise in numerous T20 leagues according to The Times.
The report further stated that as many as six top English players have been approached by some IPL owners with the offer. The players were reportedly asked if they were open to accepting long-term deals with the franchises.
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Why do IPL teams want to enter into long-term contracts with players?
While there have been no concrete talks between the team owners and the players, the idea of the IPL franchises is to offer a 12-month-long contract, which will bind them to the teams. The players will then have to remain available to represent them in T20 leagues across the world.
This will also mean that the franchises will become the principal employers of the players and not the cricket boards of their respective countries.
The idea has been floated keeping in mind the presence of the IPL franchises in more than one country now. As many as eight Indian franchises have a team in at least one more country's T20 league other than the IPL.
If they get to tie down the international players to their contracts they will be able to field them in other T20 leagues across the globe.
Similar to club football where the players are primarily employed by their clubs, the idea stimulated a discussion among the players' unions around the world.
The development could see cricketers earning up to £5 million, which is close to five times more than what the cricket boards are offering to the players through their central contracts.
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Which IPL franchises have teams outside India?
At the moment, eight IPL team owners have franchises outside India. Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals (DC) currently have the most number of franchises outside India.
Other than the IPL, they have teams in International League T20 (ILT20) in UAE, SA20 in South Africa and Major League Cricket (MLC) in the USA. The MLC are yet to host their inaugural tournament. Also, it has to be noted that DC's GMR group are co-owners along with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella in the MLC franchise Seattle Orcas.
Punjab Kings have stakes CPL franchise Saint Lucia Kings.
| Franchise | Teams/Countries | Leagues |
|---|---|---|
| MI | MI (India), MI Emirates (UAE), MI Cape Town (South Africa), MI New York (USA) | IPL, ILT20, SA T20, MLC |
| KKR | KKR (India), Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (UAE), Trinbago Knight Riders (West Indies) | IPL, ILT20, CPL |
| DC | DC (India), Dubai Capitals (UAE), Pretoria Capitals (South Africa), Seattle (USA) | IPL, ILT20, SA20, MLC |
| CSK | CSK (India), Joburg Super Kings (South Africa), Texas Super Kings (USA) | IPL, SA20, MLC |
| SRH | SRH (India), Sunrisers Eastern Cape (South Africa) | IPL, SA20 |
| LSG | LSG (India), Durban’s Super Giants (South Africa) | IPL, SA20 |
| RR | RR (India), Paarl Royals (South Africa) | IPL, SA20 |
| PBKS | PBKS (India), Saint Lucia Kings (West Indies) | IPL, CPL |
Which players have been approached by the IPL teams?
As per The Times' report, six English players and some Australian cricketers have had an informal talk with the IPL teams.
