Will England be next stop for Lalit Modi's Champions League?

[Sachinism]

Today India, tomorrow the world. So declared Lalit Modi, the chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL), as he contemplated the end of the first stage of his Twenty20 Champions League, the IPL offshoot featuring 12 teams from seven countries, and suggested that England could stage next year’s tournament. Somerset Sabres carry home interests into the next round after Sussex Sharks lost in a “super over” eliminator on Tuesday. For much of yesterday’s group A match between Deccan Chargers and Trinidad & Tobago, it appeared that Deccan, with Adam Gilchrist making 51 off 36 balls, were heading for the win that would put Somerset out, but the IPL champions collapsed in the closing overs chasing 150 and were beaten by three runs. Despite Deccan’s departure, the fact that two of the three Indian teams recovered from losing their opening matches to reach the second round allayed Modi’s nightmare scenario of this tournament proving as popular as a candle-snuffer during Diwali. Viewing figures may be growing slowly from a poor opening night — when the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Cape Cobras was watched by less than 1 per cent of the Indian TV audience — and crowds in the grounds have been sparse unless an IPL side are playing, but Modi can now begin planning for the future. Sitting in the hospitality lounge of the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, surrounded by branded merchandise right down to the cutlery:hmmmm:, Modi outlined his plan for the development of the tournament, which will involve taking it to other countries, extending its duration and the number of teams taking part and, above all, turning mere cricket teams into global brands. Modi is cricket’s version of the great white shark. He has to keep moving constantly, always looking for something new to feed on. His approach — his Modi operandi, if you will — is to make big claims and see if they are possible later. Hence he told The Times that England and South Africa are the contenders to stage next year’s Champions League, even though the ECB has not had a formal approach. “We are very open,” Modi said. “We want to take the Champions League to England and we will decide after this first tournament where it will be held next. It could be in England as early as next year.” Fitting a 15-day tournament into the ECB’s planned timetable could be difficult. The final one-day international of next summer between England and Pakistan is on September 22 and with Modi insisting that the tournament will take place in September or October, there is always a risk with the weather. This year Modi talked about bringing the second IPL to England after security risks meant it had to be relocated from India, but he decided that South Africa offered a better climate in April. The first Champions League was due to be played last December, but it was abandoned because of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai a week beforehand. Modi said that he was relieved that this year’s tournament had, so far, not suffered any problems. “We needed to show we can host it,” he said. “We have pulled all the stops out. This is not just another tournament for us. It is a marquee tournament.” Future editions will be held over a longer period and feature more teams from other countries, even Pakistan. It seems an anomaly that the country that has been most successful in the World Twenty20 cannot compete in a Champions League because of diplomatic problems with its neighbour. Modi said this would be another advantage of taking the tournament around the world. “Without doubt we want a Pakistan team in this,” he said. “They are not able to play on the sub-continent, but if we move to another country they will play.” Unlike the Champions League in football, it is impractical to stage home and away fixtures throughout the year. Cricket teams also lack the brand value of their football counterparts. As Modi said, games featuring Somerset and Sussex are normally only broadcast to a UK audience. It will take time for fans around the world to identify with teams from other countries. They could start by commissioning a team theme song, as the IPL sides have done for the crowd to sing after each boundary. Perhaps an R&B version of Combine Harvester (Brand New Key) by The Wurzels for Somerset? “The likes of Otago, Somerset and Sussex have never promoted themselves in this market,” Modi said. “But it has to be developed and teams have to start marketing themselves in the future to build a global fanbase.” This is where the ECB’s 18-county structure counts against English sides. The domestic Twenty20 tournaments in Australia, South Africa and New Zealand have six teams, the IPL has eight (although Modi plans to expand that to ten in 2011). It is hard to build global recognition with 18 sides, any of whom could qualify for the Champions League. Of course, there are plenty of people in England who, not unreasonably, think cricket should be about playing games rather than building brands and making money. Modi’s Twenty20 vision England and South Africa are front-runners to stage the Champions League next September. Future Champions Leagues will be longer and feature more teams, including an olive branch to Pakistan if the event is not in India. “Teams need to start marketing themselves better to build a global fanbase and increase their value to sponsors.” A second annual IPL tournament is in the pipeline, probably a shorter version of a few weeks “to keep momentum going”. The IPL will have two new franchises from 2011, making ten, and a “major player auction” next summer. “All our IPL teams are watching the Champions League to see what players are performing on Indian pitches.” The IPL is broadcast in 13 languages (including Spanish, Russian, French and Italian) and in 160 countries. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/cricket/article6875331.ece

[Guest Hiten.]

England will be a perfect second step for CL. RSA should not be given the right to host it given that soccer world cup is coming up next year.

[coffee_rules]

We shd stop playing test/ODI cricket and play only IPL CL kind of games, as players (like ZK, Sehwag) picked up injuries in IPL-II and couldn't play other cricket. Why burden them with different types of cricket, just keep playing club cricket. The purists will come around..didn't they accept ODI cricket after some years? People complainging about cowlashers...you will only find cowlashers in the future who can hit home-runs, I mean, sixers...

[Params7]

We shd stop playing test/ODI cricket and play only IPL CL kind of games' date=' as players (like ZK, Sehwag) picked up injuries in IPL-II and couldn't play other cricket. Why burden them with different types of cricket, just keep playing club cricket. The purists will come around..didn't they accept ODI cricket after some years? People complainging about cowlashers...you will only find cowlashers in the future who can hit home-runs, I mean, sixers...[/quote']

[Sachinism]

I say take it to Australia

[nospam]

I say take it to Australia

2nd that.

[Guest Hiten.]

I say take it to Australia

I think England is a good place to take it because the poms are familiar with club sports. Australia should be the next one after Ingerland.

[Jai Ho]

keep it at home, most profit for everyone.