LEFT ARM OVER
NEIL MANTHORP: Global League launch hits the sweet spot in style stakes
The money on offer to the players is, in time, supposed to keep them in SA, while the new league offers opportunities and exposure
Image is important to sportsmen and their teams and eight times more important to a league of eight teams as it seeks to establish itself in a busy calendar. This weekend, the launch of the Global League in Cape Town and the player draft seemed to get it just right. Just enough money was spent to create the illusion of style rather than the gaudy excesses that characterised the early years of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The faultless organisation and slick logistics augur well for the tournament itself. No cynicism is intended by the use of the word "illusion" because that is what it is at this stage. The IPL, the Caribbean Premier League and the Bangladesh Premier League were all launched with deft use of financial smoke and mirrors. Many promises were made by folk with much to gain to folk with even more to gain but much to lose, too. Entry into the IPL costs around $300m per franchise and player salaries reflect that. For that sort of cash, the team owners can make their pla...
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