ISPL Invites Bids for Co-Ownership of Srinagar Ke Veer Franchise
ISPL Launches Bidding for Srinagar Ke Veer Co-Ownership
The Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) has initiated the bidding process for co-ownership of the Srinagar Ke Veer franchise, which is owned by Bollywood icon Akshay Kumar. This presents a unique opportunity for investors and corporations to engage with one of the rapidly expanding cricket leagues in India.
Franchise Performance Highlights
Srinagar Ke Veer has established itself as a formidable franchise, having reached the semi-finals in its inaugural season and finishing as runners-up in the second season. This performance reflects its competitive edge and a growing fan following. The league is overseen by a Core Committee that includes notable figures such as Sachin Tendulkar, Ashish Shelar, Minal Amol Kale, and Suraj Samat. Celebrity co-owners of other franchises include Amitabh Bachchan (Majhi Mumbai), Salman Khan (Delhi Superheros), Ajay Devgn (Ahmedabad Lions), Sourav Ganguly, Saif Ali Khan, and Kareena Kapoor Khan (Tiigers of Kolkata), Hrithik Roshan (Bengaluru Strikers), Suriya (Chennai Singams), and Ram Charan (Falcon Risers Hyderabad).
Investment Potential
Suraj Samat, a member of the Core Committee and League Commissioner, emphasized the strategic nature of this investment opportunity. He stated, "ISPL has transformed into a scalable sports entity with robust fundamentals, increasing viewership, and a professionally managed structure. Co-owning Srinagar Ke Veer allows partners to engage in franchise value creation. Our competitive framework ensures that franchise owners are vital contributors to the ecosystem, making this a long-term investment alongside Akshay Kumar in a league focused on sustainable revenue and brand growth."
ISPL's Expanding Reach
Since its launch in 2024, ISPL, which is India's first tennis-ball T-10 cricket tournament, has experienced rapid growth in both participation and viewership. The second season achieved a television reach of over 28 million viewers, reflecting a 47% increase in TV viewership, alongside 47.4 million digital video views. In Season 3, the league surpassed 4.4 million player registrations, with trials held in 101 cities across the country. ISPL is broadcast live on the Star Sports Network and is available for digital streaming on JioHotstar, ensuring extensive visibility for the league and its franchises.
Developing Grassroots Cricket
ISPL aims to create a structured national competitive framework through zonal panels and an official league affiliation model, establishing a clear pathway from grassroots cricket to the national level. Franchise partners are crucial in fostering regional development, identifying talent, and promoting long-term growth within the ecosystem.
Current Season Details
ISPL Season 3 is currently taking place from January 9 to February 6 at the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium in Surat, featuring an expanded competition with eight teams.