RAWALPINDI: The financial landscape of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has been dramatically reshaped following a record-breaking auction for the Multan Sultans. Walee Technologies has set a new benchmark, securing Rawalpindi as the most expensive franchise in PSL history with a staggering bid of Rs. 245 crore.
This unprecedented bid not only makes Rawalpindi the highest-valued franchise but also eclipses previous high-value teams such as Sialkot Stallionz and Hyderabad Kingsmen. The auction war saw valuations soar to new heights, marking a major shift in the league’s financial hierarchy.
The updated franchise annual fees following the auction are as follows:
* Rawalpindi: Rs. 2,450,000,000
* Sialkot: Rs. 1,850,000,000
* Hyderabad: Rs. 1,750,000,000
* Lahore: Rs. 670,000,000
* Karachi: Rs. 640,000,000
* Peshawar: Rs. 490,000,000
* Islamabad: Rs. 480,000,000
* Quetta: Rs. 340,000,000
With the conclusion of this monumental deal, the total annual franchise fees collected by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have reached Rs. 8.67 billion (approximately $31 million USD).
The auction, overseen by the PCB, adhered to strict guidelines to ensure fairness and competitiveness. Bids started from a base price and escalated with a minimum increment of Rs. 1 crore per bid. Participants were given a single five-minute huddle to adjust their strategies, though there were no limits on the final price. Collaboration between bidders was prohibited, ensuring an intense and transparent bidding process.
The auction concluded with Walee Technologies’ Rs. 245 crore offer, marking the end of the Multan Sultans era and the beginning of Rawalpindi’s reign in the PSL.
