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After making massive investments in football, golf, Formula 1, and tennis, Saudi Arabia is now eyeing cricket as its next major sporting frontier. The kingdom is reportedly planning to launch a global T20 league worth $500 million, with an ambitious format inspired by tennis Grand Slams.
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Saudi’s Big Cricket Ambition
According to a report by The Age, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF)—worth over $1 trillion—is set to back this revolutionary T20 league through its sports division, SRJ Sports Investments.
🔹 Brainchild of Neil Maxwell: The league is the vision of former Australian cricketer Neil Maxwell, who has been involved in discussions with the International Cricket Council (ICC).
🔹 Grand Slam Format: The proposed tournament will feature eight teams playing across four locations in a year, similar to the Grand Slams in tennis.
🔹 Support from the Australian Cricketers’ Association: Maxwell, a former board member of the Australian Cricketers’ Association, is closely working on the league’s structure.
Financial Power & Investment Plan
💰 Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund is willing to pump in up to $500 million—making it the largest investor in a consortium backing the league. If successful, this would further strengthen Saudi Arabia’s footprint in global sports.
However, the biggest challenge lies in accommodating the new league within an already jam-packed global cricket calendar.
Where Will the League Fit?
The global T20 circuit is already dominated by several franchise leagues:
🏏 Indian Premier League (IPL) – The biggest and most lucrative league, occupying a two-month window in the cricket calendar.
🏏 Big Bash League (BBL) – Australia’s premier domestic T20 competition.
🏏 The Hundred – England’s 100-ball tournament.
🏏 SA20, CPL, and others – South Africa’s and the Caribbean’s T20 leagues also occupy significant space.
Despite these challenges, Saudi Arabia insists that its T20 league won’t compete with existing leagues but rather complement them. The tournament also aims to generate alternate revenue streams for smaller cricketing nations, which currently struggle under a financial model that favors the ‘Big Three’—India, Australia, and England.
Will Indian Players Feature in the League?
One major roadblock is India’s stance on its players participating in overseas leagues. The BCCI prohibits active Indian cricketers from playing in foreign T20 tournaments.
🚨 The league’s fate could rest in the hands of ICC chairman Jay Shah, who previously served as the BCCI secretary. If the BCCI softens its stance, we could see superstars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah take part in the Saudi-backed tournament.
A New Era for Cricket?
If successful, Saudi Arabia’s global T20 league could reshape the cricketing landscape, bringing new financial opportunities and further globalizing the sport. However, its long-term success will depend on ICC’s approval, scheduling adjustments, and the involvement of top cricketing nations.
🚀 Cricket’s next big chapter could be written in Saudi Arabia!
