Bollywood Star Abhishek Bachchan Becomes Co-Owner of European T20 Premier League
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New Delhi, Jan 6 (NationPress) Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan has partnered with the ICC-sanctioned European T20 Premier League, a privately-owned franchise tournament in collaboration with three member cricket nations – Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands – by investing in the property as a co-owner.
The ETPL is scheduled to commence from July 15 to August 3 and will showcase top talent from these nations alongside world-class players in true European style.
In discussing his involvement in the European T20 Premier League, Abhishek stated, "Cricket is not merely a game; it serves as a unifier that transcends boundaries. The ETPL offers the perfect stage to highlight cricket's expanding global appeal. With cricket included in the 2028 Olympics, its popularity is bound to soar. I am both humbled and thrilled about this unique partnership between the cricket boards of Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands. I am committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure the ETPL becomes a remarkable success, bringing cricket closer to millions throughout Europe. This is just the beginning; let the games commence."
The league’s development is being driven by an interim working group consisting of representatives from the participating cricket boards, along with strategic partner Rules Sport Tech, representing the funding partners. This group is responsible for guiding key decision-making processes and overseeing the formation and resourcing of a dedicated administrative body to manage the tournament.
Warren Deutrom, CEO of Cricket Ireland and chair of the ETPL, welcomed Abhishek’s participation, "His profound passion for sports and entrepreneurial insight greatly contributes to our goal of enhancing the status and visibility of European cricket. With ICC’s support and Abhishek’s dedication to our collective vision, alongside the exceptional expertise from Saurav, Priyanka, and Dhiraj of Rules Sport Tech, we are confident in creating a cricket experience that elevates the game, inspires young talent, and provides a significant platform for European cricket on the global stage."
Saurav Banerjee, Director of ETPL, underscored the region’s potential, "Cricket, the second most-watched sport worldwide, is gaining considerable traction in Europe. With 34 out of 108 ICC members from this area, we aspire to establish cricket as a major sport here, creating a legacy that players, fans, and stakeholders can proudly celebrate. This achievement would not have been possible without the unwavering support of Cricket Ireland, who have worked diligently with us over the past year to bring this to fruition. We also look forward to closely collaborating with Abhishek, whose commitment to sports and active involvement has been remarkably inspiring."
A formal launch event for the ETPL will be organized shortly to reveal key franchise and fan information, including franchise ownership, names, brands, and details about the player draft.
Priyanka Kaul, Director of ETPL, added, "Starting with six teams — Dublin, Belfast, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Edinburgh, and Glasgow — and with major media partners ensuring extensive coverage, the tournament will reach global audiences, with Europe, India, Australia, and England being among the key markets. Abhishek’s profound enthusiasm for sports and his eagerness in this initiative have been invaluable. We anticipate continuing this exciting collaboration with him on this journey."
