This was in 2017, after seeing the initial success of the PSL, it was decided to add a new team to it. For the sixth team, the PCB signed a contract with the Shoon Group for $5.2 million. This was double the amount paid by the previous most expensive team, Karachi Kings (2.6 million). However, after its initial season, the Shoon Group realized that it had made a mistake. When the fee was not paid, the PCB canceled the contract.
In December 2018, Alamgir Tareen, along with his nephew Ali Tareen, bought the team for $6.3 million. At that time, all they had in mind was to get a franchise at all costs, so they probably did not think about how they would cover more money when the Shoon Group was sidelined after seeing the $5.2 million fee.
Well, this party is very big, some political issues must also be in mind, so losses were also borne, in 2021, Alamgir Tareen became the owner of all the shares alone due to some reasons, we do not care what happened between uncle and nephew, in 2023, Alamgir Tareen was no longer in this world and Ali Tareen became the owner of the franchise again, these days the tenth edition of the league is going on.
Even before this, Ali Tareen started targeting the financial model, suddenly he started seeing immense flaws in the league and he started crying about financial losses, surprisingly, the PCB remained a silent spectator during this time because Ali Tareen belongs to a very influential family, he even said that if the fee was increased as a result of the valuation, he would go for re-bidding.
In another interview, he also demanded that Multan’s fee be made equal to Karachi’s. Interestingly, when the PCB asked the franchises in December whether they wanted to retain ownership, everyone, including Multan, answered yes.
The relationship between Salman Naseer and Ali Tareen is also not ideal. He has now become the CEO of the league, so the situation is a bit complicated. After the tenth edition, the cricket board will conduct a valuation of all the teams and after that, at least a 25% increase in fees is possible.
Thus, Multan’s fee could increase from Rs 1.8 billion per year to Rs 1.35 billion. This would be a complete loss and Ali’s complaint is not even wrong. However, questions can be raised about the timing and style. His words have caused damage to the league and reduced its value. Ali Tareen should have said these things in the Governing Council meeting, but I have heard that he keeps his microphone muted there.
He also had an option to sit at the negotiating table and say that his uncle has passed away, he bought the team but I cannot manage it at this fee, so let’s revise it a bit, although it is not possible to reduce the fee as per the agreement, but Salman Naseer is an expert lawyer, he would have found some way or the other.
Now the question arises that why is Ali Tareen in such an aggressive mood? Recently, two PCB directors Nadeem Khan and Sami Burney have joined Multan Sultans, did they give any such advice? Did anyone say that PCB will come under pressure from statements, do so, but why did people forget that at this time the chairman is Mohsin Naqvi, why would he come under pressure from anyone.
Marwat may have been given a break for now, but this cannot last long. This time, Multan Sultans participated in the PSL reluctantly. The squad is not balanced. Continuous defeats have also tarnished previous successes. If the team’s brand value was not built on the basis of all 10 editions, Multan would have been left behind. It is also strange that the one who made his team a big brand will remain at the same loss.
His fee may increase more in the valuation, those who sit comfortably all year and wake up during the league will benefit, the league was affected more by the team’s poor performance than Ali Tareen’s statements damaged the PSL, you have never seen IPL owners doing bad things to him.
The question arises, why did you buy the team at such a high price? Why did you keep quiet when you continued to suffer losses? Now, after 10 years, the thought is coming, PSL franchise owners should think that they already had the wealth, this league gave them celebrity status, how many politicians do you know from South Punjab? How many businessmen do you know?
However, the world knows the complete history of PSL owners, wherever they go, fans take selfies with them, most of them must have earned money from the league, when no one knew whether the PSL would run or not, Atif Rana, Sameen Rana, Javed Afridi, Nadeem Umar, Ali Naqvi and Salman Iqbal took the risk and bought the teams, the real credit goes to them.
Those who came after success had to pay more fees, now 2 new teams are being added next year, after Ali Tareen’s statements, will anyone buy the team even for 6.3 million dollars? They can say that when Multan Sultans is in such a loss, how will we recover.
One way is to sell the Multan team in PCB re-bidding for a huge price, then the rates of the next 2 teams will also increase. This league was supposed to be made by big owners, but unfortunately, except for a few, others could not play an active role. Now, new agreements have to be made, which will only harm this situation.
It is not possible to have more income until the league becomes big. To make it big, it is necessary that everyone stops whining and sits at the table and finds new ways. If you cannot do this, then leave the team. Believe me, many people are ready to become owners. The decision is in your hands. Do whatever you have to do. Just don’t ruin the league.