Moolah, moolah & more moolah: IPL players can earn more if their franchisees decide to play outside India

Indian Premier League changed the way cricket is played in the world. It’s just not cricket and entertainment; it is big time money for the players as well. As if the amount of big money served to cricketers playing wasn’t enough, there is more good news for the IPL’s cash-rich cricketers as the Indian cricket board (BCCI) has issued new guidelines stipulating that IPL franchisees interested in playing ‘friendly’ matches outside the country will have to sign fresh contracts with their players for the same, says a report in The Times Of India.

This means contracted players can earn more money, over and above their existing IPL contracts, if their teams are playing outside India.

The BCCI sent a mail to all team owners on Saturday which said players will have to be “separately contracted” for these friendly matches. “IPL will distribute a template player contract which must be used for the IPL franchise players,” BCCI said. “All contracts signed by the franchise in respect of the friendly match must be disclosed to IPL, who will have a right to audit all income received by the franchise in respect of the friendly match (whether directly or indirectly).”

Meanwhile according to a report in the DNA, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the governing council of the Champions League Twenty20 may be contemplating taking the tournament to South Africa, though none of the Indian teams are game for it. The four IPL teams, which have qualified for the high-profile tournament, want it played in India.

“They (BCCI) and the governing council members, anyway, don’t take our views before deciding on the venue, but we will insist that the tournament be played in India,” said an official of a prominent franchise. “We’ll resist. If the push comes to shove, we will play. We’ll have no choice then.”

It is most likely that the teams, separately or collectively, will write to the BCCI, requesting them not to move the tournament to South Africa. Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Daredevils and Mumbai Indians are the four teams which have qualified to play in the tournament, says the DNA report.

It is also understood that even the broadcasters are not in favour of the move. ESPN Star Sports, too, are likely to request the BCCI officials to hold the tournament in India.