The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has made its intentions clear: the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) must evolve — and fast. Following a series of meetings with five sports management firms, the board is now poised to reshape the tournament’s structure, branding, and most crucially, its franchise model. The message is unmistakable: accountability is no longer optional.
The BPL, once touted as Bangladesh’s answer to the IPL, has struggled to maintain credibility amid recurring controversies — from unpaid player wages to match-fixing whispers. The last edition was particularly marred by the Durbar Rajshahi fiasco, where overseas players were left stranded in Dhaka hotels awaiting dues. The fallout was so severe that the sports ministry had to intervene. It’s no wonder, then, that BCB is now demanding more from its stakeholders.
At the heart of this reform is a new revenue-sharing model. For the first time, BCB will distribute ticket and sponsorship earnings to franchises — but only to those who can verify cleared payments to players. It’s a bold move, tying financial incentives directly to ethical conduct.
Franchises that reached the playoffs will receive approximately BDT 5.5 million, while others will get BDT 4.5 million — provided they’ve honoured their contractual obligations.
The board is also weighing two operational models for appointing a sports management partner. One involves paying fees for consultation and execution; the other shifts all financial risk to the firm, which must also provide a bank guarantee. Either way, the chosen firm will be expected to rebrand the BPL, expand its international footprint, and help attract sustainable franchise owners.
And that’s where the real challenge lies.
BCB has made it clear that franchises with prior financial disputes will not be considered. Instead, the board wants owners who can commit to year-round engagement — not just during the tournament window. That means investing in regional cricket development, fan activation, and infrastructure. It’s a far cry from the previous model, where franchise involvement often began and ended with the players’ draft.
The shortlisted firms — including international names like IMG, Apex Sports Consulting, and Absolute Legends Sports — have all pitched ambitious plans. But the success of this overhaul will depend not just on glossy presentations, but on execution. The BPL needs more than a facelift; it needs a foundation.
BCB’s next board meeting on 9 August will determine which firm gets the nod. But the real test will come later — when franchises are selected, contracts are signed, and the promises made in boardrooms are put to the test on the ground.
If the BCB holds its nerve and enforces these standards, the BPL could finally become the professional, respected league it was always meant to be. If not, it risks becoming just another tournament with a shiny logo and a broken system.
