A division of the Adani Group, Adani Sportsline has made a historic foray into franchise cricket by obtaining the rights to own and manage a team in the UAE T20 League.
The UAE T20 League, which is authorised by the Emirates Cricket Board, is an annual affair that will involve six franchise teams fighting in a 34-match event. Star players from all cricket-playing countries are projected to be named to multiple teams.
The tournament will give upcoming young cricketers a platform and exposure. This will be Adani Sportsline’s first significant move overseas, connecting and engaging with worldwide cricket fans from around the world.
Khalid Al Zarooni, UAE’s T20 League Chairman, said, “It is a proud moment for us to announce the Adani Group’s association with the UAE’s T20 League as a Franchise team owner. This acquisition fits perfectly in the group of corporates who have already acquired franchise team rights in the League. The trust shown by the Adani Group augurs well for the League and we look forward to benefitting from their business acumen and working together to make our League successful.”
Pranav Adani, said, “We are excited to be part of the UAE T20 league. The UAE is an amazing amalgamation of several cricket-loving nations. It provides an excellent platform for enhancing the visibility of cricket as the sport goes increasingly global. Our presence here is also a great base for the Adani brand that is contributing significantly to the sports ecosystem in India through leagues such as boxing and kabaddi, and nurturing sporting talent at the grassroots level through the Garv Hai initiative.”
Mubashshir Usmani, General Secretary Emirates Cricket Board, commented, “We are extremely pleased to have one of Asia’s leading corporates as our franchise team owner. This is a resounding thumbs up to the unique opportunity that the UAE T20 league offers to experienced and established business owners. We are confident that this association will be mutually beneficial for both the Adani Group and the League. UAE’s T20 League will attract some of the biggest names in world cricket while also giving a platform and international exposure to local and upcoming players”.
The Adani Group has a yearly turnover of more than $20 billion and functions in 70 locations across 50 countries.
Other Indian companies to own a team in the UAE T20 League are Shah Rukh Khan’s Knight Riders Sports, GMR Sports, and Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries. In addition, the finance firm Capri Global, Big Bash League (BBL) team Sydney Sixers, and Manchester United owner Glazer family have all acquired teams in the highly anticipated tournament.