IPL boss plays down talks of threat from Saudi-backed T20 'Grand Slam' League: 'No point discussing speculative stories"

Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Arun Dhumal has reacted to reports of Saudi Arabia backing a new T20 league, stating that while the BCCI supports the rise of T20 leagues all over the world especially in uncharted territories, there was no point in discussing the prospect of such a league on the basis of speculation.

The oil-rich Gulf kingdom has made its presence felt in football, golf, tennis, Formula 1 and even in professional wrestling with its partnership with World Wrestling Entertainment. Thanks to its Public Investment Fund (PIF), the Saudi Pro League has been able to sign some of the biggest names in football including Cristiano Ronaldo, and has also won the hosting rights for the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

The Kingdom has also been able to create LIV Golf, a parallel professional men’s golf tour that rivals the PGA Tour that includes top names such as Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm, among others, besides making major moves in other sports, which many critics refer to as ‘Sportswashing’

‘No infrastructure as of now in Saudi Arabia’

A recent report had stated that the Saudi sovereign wealth fund would finance a brand new, eight-team T20 league that would take place in a ‘Grand Slam format’ at different locations and at different times across the world. The proposed league is being developed in partnership with the Ausytrfa

“There is no point discussing something on the basis of speculation. There is nothing on the table for discussion with everyone (all stakeholders). And as far as my knowledge goes, there is no infrastructure as of now in Saudi Arabia that can cater to a tournament of this scale.

“So, there is no point discussing speculative stories,” Dhumal said ahead of the opening match of the 18th season of the IPL between defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Dhumal, on the contrary, welcomed the idea of a Saudi T20 league, and did not see it as a threat of any sort. Not only is the IPL second only to the NFL in terms of value per game, owners of IPL franchises have been branching out to T20 leagues organised by other boards.

South Africa’s SA20, for instance, has six teams that are all owned by IPL franchises. Four out of the eight teams in The Hundred, meanwhile, are owned by IPL franchises.

“The idea of getting cricket into the Olympics is that the game grows through the length and breadth of the globe. It is good that more leagues are taking shape and we don’t see anybody as a threat,” Dhumal said

“We would want to make sure that more and more games happen across the different territories, the newer territories. Whether it is Saudi, America, Europe, it doesn’t matter. Nobody can stop anybody and we would not want to stop anyone.

“We would only focus on strengthening our tournament and our property,” he added.