The Glazer family is interested in buying one of the two new IPL franchises that is set to enter the tournament next year. The arrival of the two new teams will take the number of teams in the competition up from 8 to 10.
According to reports, the cities that could host the two new teams are Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Indore, Cuttack, Guwahati and Dharamsala. The Glazers have purchased the invitation to tender at £10,000 which was initially published in August and has now been rescinded from the market. However, this is not a guarantee that they will submit an offer for the new team.
The auction for the new teams is set to be held in Dubai this coming Monday, and the formal announcement will be made the following day. 18 other companies are interested in purchasing one of the two new IPL teams, with several Indian companies and CVC Capital Partners also in the list of potential buyers.
The Glazers currently own Manchester United and Super Bowl champions Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They could boost their sports holding profile with a new team in the IPL, which is arguably the most successful cricket league in the world.
Both the new teams to be introduced are valued at around £300 million, and will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. The arrival of the Glazers in India would further strengthen Manchester United’s fanbase in the country as well.