Press Release: Capri Global takes centre stage among IPL names with Lucknow franchise: Non-banking financial company picks Lucknow as city of choice for their home base
Capri Global will join the Indian Premier League (IPL) when its newest version – the Women’s Premier League – takes off later this year.
The inaugural version of the WPL is a landmark development in the history of Indian cricket, the richest board in the world. The WPL will fetch a total of US$527 million for the governing Board of Control for Cricket in India.
Five cities were picked by the winners after an auction arranged at short notice in Mumbai with Capri Global picking Lucknow as their choice. Adani Sportsline (Ahmedabad), Mumbai Indians (Mumbai), Royal Challengers Bangalore (Bangalore), Delhi Capitals (New Delhi) are the other owners of the teams.
“Lucknow holds a special place in the north of India. Although Mumbai remains our corporate headquarters for operational reasons, the northern belt of the country is also equally important from the viewpoint of our customer base,” said Rajesh Sharma, Director of Capri Global Capital Ltd, which also owns the Sharjah Warriors franchise in the inaugural six-team ILT20 being played in the UAE.
The leading Indian Non-banking Financial Company also owns the Bengal Warriors team in Pro Kabbadi League and the Rajasthan Warriors franchise in KhoKho.
“Capri Global’s association with WPL has been strategic in achieving our vision of encouraging sports across all strata and genders and establishing a deeper connect with our stakeholders and customers. We believe cricket is the most natural route to further that vision given its history in India,” Sharma said.
With the amount of sale from franchise and media rights, the WPL will become the second-richest cricketing league behind the IPL only.
Among women’s team sports in the world, the WPL will take third spot among the richest behind the Women’s NBA and the Super League football in the UK. The auction for players, with seven from overseas allowed, will happen in the first week of February at an undisclosed date yet. Registration for players has started.
For the moment, Capri Global is content basking in the company of the highest bidder Adani Sportsline as the two non-IPL teams out of the five winners of the day. “We are happy to associate with the Women’s Premier League and extend our vision for sports in India while shining light on the women of India,” Sharma said. “With the Lucknow WPL team, we are extremely proud to be a part of this historic moment in cricket and especially in being able to extend our support to some of the most tremendously talented women in sport.”
Viacom18 has secured the Women’s Premier League (IPL) media rights value for the 2023-2027 cycle for Rs 951 crores ($2.5 billion).
Press Release: Rajesh Sharma, Director, Capri Global Capital Limited
