IPL franchises in two minds over formation of independent ‘union’
Fresh reports have indicated that an unnamed IPL franchise owner has suggested the formation of an independent ‘union’ of the all the IPL teams that will run parallel alongside the board. BCCI officials were left angered by this as they questioned why they were not informed of such a development.
There was a meeting held in London earlier this month regarding the expansion of the IPL as the board put forth the idea of adding two more teams to the existing eight-team competition. While that matter is yet to come to a concrete conclusion, fresh reports have come in that an unnamed IPL franchise owner has gone behind the back of the BCCI to suggest the formation of an independent ‘union’ of the existing IPL franchises in order to ensure their long-term security in the league.
Reports in TOI revealed that the unspecified individual held an informal meeting earlier this week where he suggested that all franchises of the league should get together and form a union “that will act as an administrative office for all (existing teams) and will independently deal with the ecosystem to address their concerns”.
Apparently, defending champions Mumbai Indians and three-time winners Chennai Super Kings immediately refused to entertain the idea and voiced their opinion against the formation of such a union.
“This is bordering on absurdity now. What’s worse is that it’s happening at a time when the BCCI administration is very weak and does not have any control over its own property,” inside sources told TOI.
Meanwhile, senior BCCI officials were left fuming at the fact that they were kept away from this informal meeting in London and that none of the officials who run the league’s operations were invited.
“What we would like to know is whether anybody in BCCI (present administration) had any clue about this. Whose idea was it to keep the league uninformed about such a meeting? When the right time comes, these questions will be raised and everybody concerned will have to answer,” senior BCCI administrators added.