The upcoming edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), scheduled for December and January, is already seeing significant interest from potential team owners. Eleven organisations have applied for franchises, while the entire tournament has been entrusted to the event management company IMG to ensure smooth execution.
IMG is currently overseeing all operational aspects of the BPL. On Thursday, the BPL Governing Council held discussions with the applicant organisations. During the meeting, several prospective franchises called for the auction system to be reinstated for player selection, according to Iftekhar Rahman Mithu, secretary of the Governing Council.
“Today we discussed the auction system and will continue the conversation at the next BPL meeting,” Mithu told the media. “We have sufficient time, as the players’ draft is scheduled after 15 November. We have noted the franchises’ views, and any decision will be made in the best interest of the league.”
The first two editions of the BPL, in 2012 and 2013, used an auction system for player recruitment. Since 2015, the league has followed a draft system, which remains in place. Franchises argue that returning to the auction format would increase competition to sign star players and make the league more attractive to fans.
The player draft for the upcoming season will take place after 15 November. Prior to that, the Governing Council is expected to meet again to decide on the potential reinstatement of the auction system. At the same time, the number of participating teams and the allocation of franchises to organisations will be finalised.
