Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, a world T20 standout, and Rohan Lund, the former Group CEO of NRMA, will own Belfast. Other strategic partners will be revealed later.
In front of the iconic Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), which has been officially sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC), revealed the owners of its first three teams.
Tim Thomas, a former CEO of the Centre for Australia-India Relations and former partner at KPMG Australia, Jamie Dwyer, a five-time World Player of the Year and Olympic gold medallist, and Australian cricket legend Steve Waugh, a former Australian captain and World Cup-winning leader, will lead the group that will own Amsterdam.
A former New Zealand fast bowler and ICC No. 1 ODI bowler, Kyle Mills, and Nathan McCullum, a former New Zealand international and high-performance cricket coach, will own Edinburgh.
In addition to being the first stage of the ETPL’s franchise rollout ahead of its first season, which is set to start in the final week of August, the announcement signifies a turning point in the development of professional cricket in Europe.
Amsterdam Franchise co-owner Steve Waugh stated:
“I’ve always been picky about where I devote my cricket time and effort. Franchise cricket has grown rapidly, but because it is motivated by ambition and long-term planning, this opportunity jumped out. For me, it’s essentially a return to the game, but in a completely different capacity. This is about supporting cricket’s expansion into Europe, which is still the game’s final major frontier, while also upholding the values and spirit of the sport.
Belfast Franchise co-owner Glenn Maxwell stated:
I’m excited to be a part of the Irish Wolves, where we’ll create a culture of enjoyment, family, and fearless play. Over the past 20 years, Cricket Ireland has made significant progress in growing the game, which is a sport that the Irish people adore. That progress will be accelerated by the Wolves and the European T20 Premier League, and I am incredibly honoured to be in charge of the team in its first season.
Co-owner of Edinburgh Franchise Kyle Mills stated:
“The chance to own a club in a league with solid board relationships and governance is quite alluring. The ETPL have all the necessary components to emerge as a significant player in international cricket.
Renowned Indian actor and sports entrepreneur Abhishek Bachchan, co-founder of the ETPL, stated:
These three teams are a perfect example of the aim, integrity, and vision that make a franchise important, as my experience in sports has shown me. Setting a new standard for up-and-coming franchise leagues, the ETPL will unite established international stars with up-and-coming talent from Europe and other associate nations while maintaining the highest standards of governance, transparency, and sporting integrity. It is anchored in solid partnerships with national boards and the greats of the game.
India
