As the 11th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) approaches, set to commence on 30 December, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Faruque Ahmed has promised significant reforms.
A key focus for the BCB president is addressing the financial disparities within the tournament. This includes clearing the arrears owed to players and increasing the payments for umpires and scorers.
The BPL, established in 2012, has been fraught with controversies, ranging from unpaid dues to mid-tournament bylaw changes and spot-fixing scandals.
This season marks the end of the current cycle of BPL franchises, with new franchises set to be acquired next year. The behaviour of the current franchises will be taken into account when deciding their future participation.
A recent email from franchise owners to the BCB CEO has sparked discussions about the broadcasting rights for the BPL. A consortium of four companies, led by Millennium Media, purchased the broadcasting rights for the 10th and 11th BPL for 56 crore taka.
However, the consortium has yet to pay around 65 crore taka from the previous season and has requested a discount for this year's fees.
Faruque has stated that the broadcasting rights owners have promised to pay the outstanding amount in instalments, with a deadline set for full payment. If the money is not paid as promised, further action will be taken.
The BPL also has outstanding debts from previous franchises, including around 3.5 to 4 crore taka owed by Chittagong Kings, who are returning to the tournament after nearly a decade. The Kings have committed to settling their dues with the BCB.
As the BPL prepares for its latest season, the focus remains on ensuring financial stability and maintaining the integrity of the tournament, while introducing new elements to enhance its appeal.
