The Hero Caribbean Premier League on Wednesday announced that the owners of Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders intend to acquire the Trinidad & Tobago franchise, subject to all "regulatory and board approvals".
IPL champions in 2012 and 2014, Kolkata Knight Riders were ranked by Forbes earlier this year as having highest brand value in the IPL.
KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan said, "This is in line with our vision to expand globally and we are thrilled to become part of the great cricketing tradition of Trinidad & Tobago.
“The passion for franchise cricket in the Caribbean is evident with the success of CPL and we hope to bring all the best practices of KKR to the T&T franchise."
Venky Mysore, CEO of KKR, said, "We have been fortunate to be recognised as one of the most professionally managed franchises in IPL. Our positive experience in building a successful franchise has encouraged us to expand globally. The success of CPL and the Trinidad & Tobago franchise in particular, makes it a very good fit for us."
Shah Rukh Khan joins Hollywood stars Mark Wahlberg (Barbados Tridents) and Gerard Butler (Jamaica Tallawahs) as the latest high-profile CPL franchise-owner.
Khan also has a fanatical following in Trinidad & Tobago, and fans will be flocking to the Queen's Park Oval to watch their side play in their home games from July 14 to 19.
CPL 2015 runs from June 20 to July 26.
Last year's tournament attracted a global audience in excess of 65 million
and this year is set to be even higher as fans across the world continue to be drawn to the high quality action on the pitch and the unique party atmosphere off it.
Damien O'Donohoe, Chief Executive Officer, CPL, said: "This deal represents yet another great step forward in the story of the CPL as it grows in status and popularity around the world.
"KKR are a huge franchise in the world of cricket, so for a brand like theirs to choose to invest in the CPL proves that we are doing all the right things and heading in the right direction."
Image: Kolkata Knight Riders owner Shah Rukh Khan
Photograph: BCCI
