The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has made it clear that it will not support Saudi Arabia’s proposed global Twenty20 league, stating that there is simply no room in the already packed international cricket calendar. Richard Gould, the ECB’s chief executive, expressed concerns about how another high-profile franchise tournament would further strain the schedule of top players, who are already balancing commitments to their national teams and existing leagues.
The Saudi-backed T20 event, which would be funded by the sports arm of the nation’s sovereign wealth fund, aims to feature eight teams playing across four different locations. It is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader push to establish itself as a powerhouse in the global sports industry. The country has already made waves in football by attracting some of the world’s biggest stars to its domestic league with record-breaking contracts. Now, Saudi authorities are keen to replicate that success in cricket, a sport that enjoys a massive following in South Asia, England, and Australia.
However, the ECB has prioritized protecting its own 100-ball competition, The Hundred, which has recently secured a $1.27 billion investment from private franchise owners. The Hundred has been promoted as a unique format designed to engage new audiences and drive commercial revenue, making it a crucial part of the ECB’s long-term strategy. Supporting a rival T20 league could potentially undermine its growth and profitability, a risk the ECB is not willing to take.
Saudi Arabia’s ambitious plans to enter the cricket world come at a time when franchise T20 leagues have reshaped the global cricket landscape. The Indian Premier League (IPL) remains the most lucrative and high-profile tournament, with an estimated brand value of over $10 billion. The IPL’s media rights deal for the 2023-2027 cycle fetched a staggering $6.2 billion, reflecting the immense commercial appeal of the league. Players from around the world consider an IPL contract to be among the most prestigious and financially rewarding opportunities in cricket. The tournament also offers a prize pool of around $6 million, with the winners taking home approximately $2.5 million.
Pakistan’s version of the franchise model, the Pakistan Super League (PSL), has also grown significantly since its inception in 2015. While its financial scale is smaller than that of the IPL, the PSL remains one of the most competitive leagues, attracting top international players. The prize money for the PSL currently stands at around $1 million, with the winning team receiving close to half of that amount. Despite security concerns in the past, the tournament has successfully transitioned back to being hosted entirely in Pakistan, further strengthening its domestic and global appeal.
Other major leagues include Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL), which has been a cornerstone of T20 cricket since 2011. While it does not offer salaries as high as the IPL, the BBL remains a critical part of the global T20 calendar, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere. Similarly, the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and South Africa’s SA20 have carved out their niches, providing opportunities for local talent to shine alongside international superstars.
The entrance of Saudi Arabia into the cricketing world could further complicate the already congested T20 landscape. With so many leagues competing for the best players, national boards are increasingly concerned about workload management and player burnout. The ECB’s decision to distance itself from the Saudi project aligns with the broader struggle to balance franchise cricket with international commitments.
Beyond the ECB, other cricket boards may take different approaches. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has historically resisted players participating in foreign leagues that compete with the IPL. Meanwhile, Cricket Australia and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have tried to maintain a balance between national duties and franchise commitments, often imposing restrictions on player availability.
Saudi Arabia’s involvement in cricket is part of a larger trend of the Gulf nation investing heavily in global sports. The country has hosted high-profile boxing matches, Formula One races, and golf tournaments. Its football league has lured superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar with multi-million dollar deals, signaling its intent to dominate the sports business. With cricket’s massive following in South Asia and among expatriate communities in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia sees an opportunity to tap into a highly lucrative market.
Despite the ECB’s reluctance, Saudi Arabia’s deep pockets and willingness to invest could still attract interest from other cricketing nations and investors. If the proposed league offers lucrative contracts, some players may be tempted to prioritize franchise commitments over international duty, a growing concern in modern cricket. The International Cricket Council (ICC) will likely play a key role in determining whether the Saudi-backed league finds a place in the global calendar.
The Saudi T20 league’s success will ultimately depend on its ability to attract top-tier players, secure broadcasting rights, and establish itself as a sustainable entity in the face of stiff competition. If it does, it could challenge the dominance of existing leagues and force cricket boards to rethink their strategies. However, without official backing from major boards like the ECB and BCCI, its prospects remain uncertain.
Cricket’s growing commercialization has already led to debates over the balance between traditional formats and the rise of franchise cricket. Test cricket, once considered the pinnacle of the sport, is facing an existential crisis as players increasingly gravitate toward the financial rewards of T20 leagues. The introduction of another high-profile competition could further shift the balance, raising questions about the future of international cricket.
For now, the ECB remains firm in its decision to prioritize The Hundred over any external ventures. Whether Saudi Arabia’s ambitions will be realized remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—cricket is no longer just a sport; it is a billion-dollar industry where financial power shapes the future of the game.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Coverpage’s editorial stance.
