In Oct 2021, we spoke about two new franchises being added to the team’s list for the Indian Premier League (IPL). Right from inception in 2008, the tournament has been played with 8 participating franchise teams and it’s the first time that an expansion to 10 teams will be experimented it, as the organisers try to mould the league as per the English football league – longer seasons with more teams.
The two new teams were Ahmedabad and Lucknow and while the names of the franchises are yet to be decided, the owners were decided in the IPL 2022 team’s auction, with the highest bidders being CVC Capital Partners (Ahmedabad) and RPSG Group (Lucknow). However, it didn’t take long for controversy to find it’s way into this decision ahead of IPL 2022.
There were immediate questions being raised about the ownership of the Ahmedabad franchise as the BCCI doesn’t permit anyone to be associated with companies involved in betting activities or even betting businesses. Thus, CVC Sports came under the scanner because they have investments in multiple sports, while also owning an interest in sports betting websites.
Lalit Modi’s tweet on CVC Sports
i guess betting companies can buy a @ipl team. must be a new rule. apparently one qualified bidder also owns a big betting company. what next 😳😳😳 – does @BCCI not do there homework. what can Anti corruption do in such a case ? #cricket
— Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) October 26, 2021
“i guess betting companies can buy a @ipl team. must be a new rule. apparently one qualified bidder also owns a big betting company. what next 😳😳😳 – does @BCCI not do there homework. what can Anti corruption do in such a case ? #cricket” read the former IPL Commissioner’s tweet. An investigation was launched into their ownership in IPL 2022, on the advice of a retired Supreme Court judge.
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While they have business investments in football, Formula 1 and rugby, the investments that were highlighted were those in gaming website Tipico and sports betting development website, Sisal. Tipico is an outright sportsbook and while betting is legal in other countries, it’s not in India as yet and that’s where the confusion has arisen.
Modi’s tweet has led to a social media uprising and there is a continuous chatter about whether or not CVC Sports will be able to continue as a team owner for IPL 2022. This means that in case they aren’t able to go ahead with the deal, the Ahmedabad IPL team will go to the next-best bidder which is Gautam Adani-owned company, Adani Sportsline, which had bid Rs.5,100 Crores for Ahmedabad.
Only time will tell whether or not this company will be allowed by the BCCI to participate in IPL 2022 as a team owner. There are some clauses in the IPL rules which allow them to be a team owner without breaking any news but with BCCI strongly standing against betting because of past controversies, we think it’s right for them to take a stand and disqualify CVC Sports.
For similar cricketing news from around the world and an update on whether or not CVC Sports will take part in IPL 2022 as a team owner, remember to stay tuned to ReadScoops.com…
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