Franchise-based Twenty20 League planned in US in 2012

Mumbai, Dec 20 (PTI) An Indian-owned, Singapore-based
business firm has inked a deal jointly with the United States
of America Cricket Association (USACA) and New Zealand Cricket
(NZC) to start a franchise-based Twenty20 League in the US in
2012 with the backing of the International Cricket Council.
Podar Holdings International Pte Limited and Top Bloom
Corporation Limited have become foundation partners in an
agreement signed with the USACA, NZC and Australian sports
marketing firm Insite to grow cricket exponentially in one of
ICC's target markets, a media release said.
The agreement signed on December 18 in Los Angeles
establishes Cricket Holdings America LLC as holder of majority
of the commercial rights to cricket in the United States.
The rights include the potentially valuable Twenty20
rights and the ability to stage a franchise based T20 League
which is scheduled for June 2012 with six teams, the release
stated.
ICC's Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat has welcomed the
development.
"The ICC has long considered the United States as a
strategically key market for the growth of the game. We are
extremely supportive of the new partnership and their efforts
to grow cricket within the United States. We wish them all the
best," Lorgat said.
"The United States has a huge potential to grow the game
and is going to be one of the biggest destinations for
cricket. Cricket Holdings America LLC is exciting news for the
game globally, in particular to fans around the world," said
Rajiv Podar, Director of Podar Holdings International. (More)
PTI