Introduction of new teams adds Rs 332 crores to BCCI's profits, says Shah

THE INTRODUCTION of the two new interim IPL franchises will earn BCCI an approximate amount of Rs 332 crore, according to the Indian cricket governing body's senior official Niranjan Shah.

The Saurashtra Cricket Association, for whom Shah acts as the Supremo, has seen some good times recently. They have just opened a new stadium capable of hosting an international test match, and now things have become even better with the birth of the new IPL franchise based in Rajkot.

A visibly elated Niranjan Shah told PTI,

"Getting Test status was a bigger victory but I am ecstatic that Rajkot now has an IPL team now... these two franchises have said that they do not want Rs 70 crore from the central revenue pool earmarked for franchises each year. In addition they are paying us Rs 16 and Rs 10 crore per year for next two years. This means in one year we are making Rs 166 crore and for two it becomes Rs 332 crore."

The interim franchises, based in Pune and Rajkot, will fill up the gap left in the IPL due to the 2 year suspension sentence received by Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals. As of now, the new teams are set to dissolve after that 2 year period.

Keshav Bansal, Director of Intex Mobiles who own the Rajkot franchise, said to PTI,

"Up to the BCCI to decide on [what happens to the new franchises after the 2 years]. We would be happy but then there is a provision for 10 teams."