What Are the New FBM Rules as Over 500 Kabaddi Players Enter the PKL 12 Auction?

Mumbai, May 30 (NationPress) The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 12 player auction, scheduled for May 31 and June 1, is set to feature a thrilling mix of top-notch Indian and international kabaddi talents going under the hammer. This season introduces exciting modifications, including a revamped Final Bid Match (FBM) rule and showcases a remarkable player pool with over 500 athletes up for bidding.

The elite roster includes prominent Indian players such as Pawan Sehrawat, Arjun Deshwal, Ashu Malik, and Devank Dalal (the top raider of PKL 11), along with international stars like Fazel Atrachali and Mohammadreza Shadloui. Legendary figures such as Maninder Singh and Pardeep Narwal are also making their return to the auction, while Naveen Kumar is entering the PKL Player Auction for the first time after six seasons with Dabang Delhi K.C.

For the first time in league history, every champion player from Seasons 1 to 11 is available in the auction pool. Whether they are record-breaking raiders or game-changing defenders, every franchise now has a shot at acquiring the very players who have shaped the most significant moments in PKL history.

The standout feature of the Season 12 auction is the updated Final Bid Match (FBM) rule, which aims to promote long-term squad development and enhanced team stability. Previously, the FBM rule allowed teams to retain a player for just one season. Now, franchises can choose to retain a player for either one or two seasons when exercising their FBM rights.

According to the new FBM rule, if a player from Season 11 receives the highest bid from another franchise, the auctioneer will offer the player’s previous team the chance to utilize their FBM. If they opt to do so, they must immediately raise either the one-season or two-season FBM card — whichever is raised first will be taken as final. If the team uses the FBM, the player remains with them at the final bid amount. If they decline, the player goes to the highest bidder.

The number of FBM cards available to a team is contingent on the number of Elite Retained Players (ERPs); retaining 6 ERPs allows for 1 FBM, retaining 5 ERPs allows for 2 FBMs, and retaining 4 or fewer ERPs permits 3 FBMs.

This year, all teams can use up to 3 FBMs, with the exception of UP Yoddhas, who qualify for 2 FBMs.

A total of 83 players have been retained by the 12 PKL franchises ahead of the auction; consisting of 25 in the Elite Retained Players (ERP) category, 23 in the Retained Young Players (RYP) category, and 35 in the New Young Players (NYP) category. This leaves a maximum of 217 slots available during the Player Auction.

Each franchise begins with a salary purse of Rs 5 crore, adjusted based on any players retained. Teams are allowed to have a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 overseas players in their squads.

Players are classified into four categories: Category A – Rs 30 lakh, Category B – Rs 20 lakh, Category C – Rs 13 lakh, and Category D – Rs 9 lakh.