The Colombo-based Daily Mirror newspaper said the bids came from Indian companies and speculated that the floor price of 3.0 million dollars must have knocked-off any Sri Lankan company from making an offer.
Neighbouring India’s money-spinning Indian Premier League, had set a base price of 50 million dollars for a franchise when the tournament was launched in 2008. It later rose to 225 million dollars when two teams were added in 2010.
India’s Wadhawan Holdings, with interest in hotels and food retail, submitted the highest offer of 5.02 million dollars for the Wayamba team.
Incidentally, Wayamba represented Sri Lanka under the flag “Wayamba Elevens” during the 2009 and 2010 Champions LeagueT20 tournaments.
Soft drink giant Pepsi’s Sri Lankan bottler Varun Beverages bid 3.2 million dollars for the Eastern province. Varun Beverages recently won the contract as Sri Lanka Cricket’s main soft drinks supplier for three-years.
Indian Cricket Dundee Limited, a professional Indian cricket fan base modelled on the lines of England’s Barmy Army, bid 4.3 million dollars for the Western province.
Sri Lanka Cricket said it was leasing out the franchises for seven-years.The paper said player auctions are expected to take place on July 5, to allow franchises to buy players. Sri Lanka Cricket is expected to nominate 40 players for the auction.
“The icon players and foreign stars who will have a set base price can be won through a lottery,” the report said.
The franchises are expected to pick up the salaries of all the players.
Singapore-based Somerset Entertainment Ventures, which owns the commercial rights for the tournament for 15-years, will pay for the foreign players and pick-up cash from selling broadcasting rights.
The SLPL Franchise owners
Wayamba – Wadhawan Holdings Private Limited – 5.02 million dollars
Kandurata - Number One Sports Consulting Private Limited -4.98 million dollars
Ruhuna - Pearl Overseas Limited – 4.6 million dollars
Uva Success Sports Private Limited – 4.6 million dollars
Basnahira -Indian Cricket Dundee Limited -4.33 million dollars
Uthura - Rudra Sports Private Limited – 3.4 million dollars
Nagenahira - Varun Beverages Lanka Private Limited – 3.22 million dollars
