PCB completes independent valuation of PSL franchises; shortlists six cities for addition of new teams

In a recent development, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly considering an expansion of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), offering six city options to interested parties. The board has invited interested bidders to compete for franchise ownership rights, which will be allotted on a 10-year term.

Earlier, PSL CEO Salman Naseer said that new franchises will be awarded through an auction, with bidders allowed to choose any city from the approved list. The league is now preparing to launch the tender process for selling the two additional teams, expanding the domestic T20 tournament to the next stage.

PCB Shortlists Six Cities for Inclusion of New PSL Teams

The Pakistan Cricket Board has finalized the independent valuation of all existing PSL franchises and related commercial assets. Following the assessment, the board has issued renewal offer letters to current franchise owners.

The PCB has shortlisted six potential cities - Hyderabad, Sialkot, Muzaffarabad, Faisalabad, Gilgit, and Rawalpindi - for the addition of two new teams. Notably, the final decision will be made through an open auction process, where interested bidders will have the option to select a city from the approved list.

"The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the completion of the independent valuation process for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises and other commercial assets," the statement read.

"Following the conclusion of this exercise, renewal offer letters reflecting the new franchise fees for the next 10 years have been formally shared with all compliant PSL Franchises, requesting them to revert with their decision within the stipulated timeline."

PCB Completes Independent Valuation of PSL Franchises

Valuation of all existing PSL franchises was conducted by global auditing firm EY MENA. Each of the six current teams - Lahore Qalandars, Karachi Kings, Islamabad United, Quetta Gladiators, Peshawar Zalmi, and Multan Sultans - has received a renewal proposal with revised financial terms for the next decade.

Franchise owners have been given a set deadline to respond to the offers. In a bid to ensure transparency and mutual understanding, the PCB has organized detailed meetings between the valuation experts and team managements, both jointly and individually.

These discussions are intended to give franchises a clear picture of how the valuations were determined, allowing them to raise any concerns or seek clarifications before finalizing their decisions for the upcoming PSL cycle.

Fees Increased by up to 150 Percent Ahead of PSL 2026

Following the assessment, renewal letters were sent to all six existing teams. The auditors recommended a substantial fee increase ranging between 75 and 150 percent for the current franchises.

"The audit firm has sent renewal letters to the six franchises reflecting the new annual franchise fees for the next 10 years and the teams have been requested to revert with their decisions in the given time frame," one official said.

Among them, Multan Sultans remains the most valuable, with an annual fee of USD 6.35 million, while the others range between USD 2.6 million and 1.3 million.

The PCB discussed several aspects of the league’s future. However, no final decision was made regarding the schedule for the 11th edition of the PSL. The next season is expected to once again overlap with the Indian Premier League window between March and May next year.

Click here to read article