PCB puts Multan Sultans franchise rights up for auction

[BouncerGuy]

AS PER REPORTS:
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that it will auction the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Multan Sultans, following strong valuations in the recent sale of two new teams, Hyderabad and Sialkot.

The board assumed control of the franchise after the ownership agreement expired on December 31, 2025, with former owner Ali Tareen stepping away amid strained relations with the PCB. Initially, the plan was to operate the team for one year and auction it in 2027, but the board has now decided to move forward sooner, citing financial efficiency despite an audit noting the loss of an $8.5 million franchise fee.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that the board will run the Sultans during the upcoming PSL 11, scheduled from March 26 to May 3, 2026, before initiating the auction process. He added that an interim management structure will be appointed, including a professional cricketer to oversee operations. Multan Sultans, originally awarded to the Schon Group in 2017 for $5.2 million, were the most expensive franchise at the time. With the addition of Hyderabad and Sialkot, PSL 11 will feature eight teams, marking another milestone in the league’s expansion.

 

[Rana]

Reports that the PCB is thinking of selling off the Multan Sultans team due to strong investor interest in the next few days. The base price will be Rs 200 crores

I’ve not heard these reports

But anyways, I don’t think they should put it in an Auction. Just set a base price you want for it, so let’s say 200cr as you say and see who offers the value, sell to who you want.

 

[Kianig89]

Let's see those Arab style guys might get this Multan Sultans ,

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Reports that the PCB is thinking of selling off the Multan Sultans team due to strong investor interest in the next few days. The base price will be Rs 200 crores

It will be a good move.

PCB directly managing the team doesn't look great.

If there is investor appetite then it's better to capitalise on it now.

 

[BouncerGuy]

AS PER REPORTS:
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that it will auction the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Multan Sultans, following strong valuations in the recent sale of two new teams, Hyderabad and Sialkot.

The board assumed control of the franchise after the ownership agreement expired on December 31, 2025, with former owner Ali Tareen stepping away amid strained relations with the PCB. Initially, the plan was to operate the team for one year and auction it in 2027, but the board has now decided to move forward sooner, citing financial efficiency despite an audit noting the loss of an $8.5 million franchise fee.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that the board will run the Sultans during the upcoming PSL 11, scheduled from March 26 to May 3, 2026, before initiating the auction process. He added that an interim management structure will be appointed, including a professional cricketer to oversee operations. Multan Sultans, originally awarded to the Schon Group in 2017 for $5.2 million, were the most expensive franchise at the time. With the addition of Hyderabad and Sialkot, PSL 11 will feature eight teams, marking another milestone in the league’s expansion.

PCB is making it happen... Multan Sultans will be sold as well... Looks like PCB does not want to operate the franchise on its own and seeing the interest in the bid earlier, they might even get more money out of this one

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

PCB is making it happen... Multan Sultans will be sold as well... Looks like PCB does not want to operate the franchise on its own and seeing the interest in the bid earlier, they might even get more money out of this one

View attachment 160710

Good decision. PCB should never have been running the franchise.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Will Ali Tareen enter the chat?

 

[RidiculousMan]

Will Ali Tareen enter the chat?

It'll cost him much much more to get his team back then he would've gotten if he had not cried and fought with PCB

 

[RehanG]

The PCB has decided to put Multan Sultans up for auction ahead of the 11th season of the PSL, which begins on March 26. A tender inviting bids for Sultans has been issued, with interested parties asked to submit technical proposals by January 30.




This change of heart from the PCB ends the brief notion it entertained of running Multan Sultans in-house this season, as PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said last month. To that end, Sultans were not put up for sale when the two newly added teams were auctioned off last week in Islamabad.




ESPNcricinfo reported on Monday that the proposal to auction the Sultans had the support of senior officials at the PCB and the PSL, and only awaited a final sign-off from Naqvi. The PSL is understood to have been buoyed by the high prices at which the two new teams, Hyderabad and Sialkot, were sold - for PKR 1.75 and PKR 1.85 billion, respectively. The sales, which took place at an auction, far exceeded the PCB's expectations, with the franchise fees nearly three times that of Lahore Qalandars, the most valuable of the existing PSL sides.

Should've done along with 2 franchises sold earlier. Now it looks even more unprofessional. I am curious what Ali Tareen has to say now, will they take part in the auction ?

 

[RidiculousMan]

Rashid says the reason why Ali Tareen took an L and didn't renew contract of MS (which he would've gotten at a cheaper price than he would get now), is because Ali wanted marketing and this loss (of billions) is going to be justified because of marketing he got and also that Ali is a smart guy

Talk about mental gymnastics

 

[RidiculousMan]

Rashid says the reason why Ali Tareen took an L and didn't renew contract of MS (which he would've gotten at a cheaper price than he would get now), is because Ali wanted marketing and this loss (of billions) is going to be justified because of marketing he got and also that Ali is a smart guy

Talk about mental gymnastics

@Rana Why Rashid won't say that the guy took an L? Why he needs to justify everything? Even if it is beyond common logic?

 

[Savak]

Bottom line is that Tareen tried his hardest to damage the PSL with his antics, he wasn't only criticizing the league and PSL, he was making fun of the league, the PSL management and PCB in comparison to other leagues on social media and he was behaving as if he was the only one facing problems in the PSL.

Here are the facts right now

- The original 5 franchises renewed their team agreements with the PSL, PCB for the next 10 years
- The original title sponsor renewed their agreement with the PSL, PCB
- The two new PSL franchise owners signed a deal with the PSL, PCB at a significantly higher than expected price

If the only one who is looking like a tool, its him.