Waugh invests in European T20 Premier League
Cricket legend Steve Waugh is among the high-profile investors backing the launch of the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), a new city-based franchise tournament set to begin in Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands this August.
The six-team league, sanctioned by the International Cricket Council and supported by the national boards of the three host countries, has secured three of its six franchises, with deals for the remaining three expected by the end of February.
Waugh is heading the consortium behind the Amsterdam Flames, which has already signed Australian stars Steve Smith and Mitch Marsh as overseas players. "I'm not signing up to a Mickey Mouse T20 competition. This is the real deal," the former Australia captain told BBC Sport.
Other franchise owners include Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and his brother Daniel, who are part of the group investing in the Belfast-based Irish Wolves. A New Zealand consortium featuring former Black Caps Kyle Mills and Nathan McCullum has acquired the Edinburgh Castle Rockers.
Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan is also a part-owner of the league through an Indian partnership. Franchises were reportedly sold for £11.1 million over a 10-year period, with team salary budgets set around £1.1 million per season.
The inaugural tournament is scheduled to run from August 26, overlapping with the Caribbean Premier League and late-season County Championship fixtures. While it may conflict with England's Test schedule, white-ball specialists could be available pending No-Objection Certificates from the ECB.
Cricket Ireland chair Brian MacNeice called the ETPL a "crucial step forward," highlighting the developmental opportunity for players across Europe.
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