US-based real estate agent franchise firm Century 21 is set to enter the Indian market, estimated at around $600 billion, with a franchise-led business model. The company aims to connect Indian buyers with international properties and NRIs with Indian real estate, projecting 1,500 offices and 30,000 agents within five years.
World Cup-winning Spanish footballer Gerard Pique has become a strategic shareholder in the Global Chess League franchise American Gambits. Pique, known for his illustrious football career, expressed his long-standing fascination with chess and his ambition to elevate the sport's global appeal. The fourth edition of the Global Chess League, featuring top grandmasters, is scheduled for September 3-13.
Indian women's assistant volleyball coach Radhika Paruchuri believes that franchise-based leagues, like the upcoming Volleyball Champions League, are crucial for transforming Indian volleyball. She highlights their potential to provide much-needed match exposure for young players, strengthen the talent pipeline, and help identify and nurture new talent, ultimately raising the standard of the sport in India. Paruchuri also notes the decline in Indian women's volleyball due to a lack of international exposure and domestic competition, which these leagues aim to address.
Indian archers, fresh from their stellar performance at the Asian Games, are set to compete in the second season of the Archery Premier League (APL) starting October 8 in Hyderabad. The league will feature 48 archers across six franchises, including Asian Games medallists like Kumkum Anil Mohod, Jyothi Surekha Vennam, and Sahil Rajesh Jadhav, alongside international stars.
Andy Flower has ruled himself out of contention for the vacant England Test head coach position, saying he is happy in franchise cricket and intends to remain in his current roles.
Drishyam: The Conclusion has remarkably outsmarted its Malayalam counterpart, Drishyam 3, by delivering a superior thriller that perfectly understands audience expectations for intricate plots and compelling twists.
The second edition of the Kerala Cricket League (KCL) will hold its player auction on Saturday in Thiruvananthapuram. Six franchises will bid for 156 players from a shortlisted pool of 173, with veteran auctioneer Charu Sharma conducting the event. Teams have a budget of Rs 50 lakh and players are categorised by experience, with varying base prices.
The second edition of the Kerala Cricket League (KCL) will hold its player auction on Saturday in Thiruvananthapuram. Six franchises will bid for 156 players from a shortlisted pool of 173, with veteran auctioneer Charu Sharma conducting the event. Teams have a budget of Rs 50 lakh and players are categorised by experience, with varying base prices.
From Hera Pheri to Krrish and Drishyam, these Bollywood franchises took their sequels in wildly different directions from the films that inspired them.
Ahead of the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2027 player auction in Kochi on October 28, a total of 63 players, including 23 overseas stars, have been retained across the five franchises.
'Something has to be new for the audience every time. It has to be a new experience while the emotions remain the same.'
Super League Kerala is implementing a new financial model to ensure franchise sustainability and has partnered with the German Football Association (DFB) for a five-year technical roadmap. This includes establishing a residential Centre of Excellence to nurture young football talent while integrating formal education.
A former Indian under-19 cricketer, who is a co-owner of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) franchise Jaffna Kings, was arrested by Sri Lanka's sports anti-corruption investigators on Friday over allegations of attempting to bribe a player.
From franchise finales and superstar sequels, Ajay Devgn and Rajinikanth are all set to lead the October charge.
The Kabaddi Champions League (KCL) is expanding to 10 teams for its second season with the addition of two new franchises, Jind Jaguars and Kurukshetra Knights. KCL chairman Balwan Singh stated this expansion will create more opportunities for players and strengthen the league's ecosystem, focusing on talent development.
NBA superstar LeBron James has officially joined the Philadelphia 76ers, taking a significant pay cut to pursue another NBA championship. He expressed excitement about the team's talent, including Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, and Joel Embiid, and his decision was influenced by his close friendship with Maxey. James' arrival has generated immense buzz in Philadelphia, with fans hoping he can bring the franchise its first title since 1983.
Hockey India is embroiled in a significant internal dispute between President Dilip Tirkey and Secretary Bhola Nath Singh, primarily stemming from an unauthorised jersey colour change. An emergent Executive Board meeting has been called to address this conflict, discuss the restructuring of the Hockey India League (HIL) into a joint venture with franchises, finalise election dates, and deliberate on hosting Asian Champions Trophy events. The meeting also aims to address a show-cause notice issued to the Director General.
Delhi Police have arrested Mohammad Shiraj, 30, for allegedly running a fake call centre that defrauded individuals by offering bogus business franchises and distributor IDs. The syndicate lured victims through social media advertisements and collected payments via QR codes before blocking communication.
The Sports Ministry, led by Mansukh Mandaviya, has formed a five-member committee to develop a comprehensive roadmap for the financial viability and sustainability of the cash-strapped Hockey India League (HIL). This initiative follows concerns about the league's long-term future, which was revived last year after a seven-year hiatus. The committee will include representatives from Hockey India, franchises, and the Sports Ministry, tasked with presenting a report on governance, financial models, and league structure.
MS Dhoni's reported bid for a stake in Chennai Super Kings has been denied by the franchise, which said the former captain never approached them about buying a share in the IPL team.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru has officially taken its fashion game from the stands to the Milan runway. In a first for an IPL franchise, RCB teamed up with PUMA and designer Dhruv Kapoor to unveil three limited-edition jackets at Milan Fashion Week.
'Their functioning is flawed, they are not accountable, they are opaque, they are non-transparent, they have lost credibility.'
The Sports Ministry has formed a five-member committee to address the financial viability and sustainability of the Hockey India League (HIL). Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya met with Hockey India officials and franchise representatives, directing them to develop a comprehensive plan for the league's revival, which has faced challenges since its return last year.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius smashed an unbeaten 188 off 79 balls for Titans, breaking Chris Gayle's T20 record with 13 sixes and 15 fours before narrowly missing a double century.
Five-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings have announced former India pace bowler Zaheer Khan as their new head coach for the IPL 2027 season, replacing long-serving Stephen Fleming.
Anup Saha, currently a Wholetime Director at Kotak Mahindra Bank, has been appointed as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for a three-year term, effective January 1, 2027, with the Reserve Bank of India's approval.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya is set to meet Hockey India League (HIL) franchise owners and federation officials to address the league's financial and administrative crisis. The HIL is struggling with unpaid player dues, rising costs, and franchise withdrawals, prompting the ministry to seek solutions for its survival, especially given its importance for Indian hockey development.
Mumbai Indians have appointed Luke Williams as their new head coach for the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2027 season, replacing Lisa Keightley who has decided to move on from the role.
Kolkata Knight Riders, owned by the Shah Rukh Khan family and Mehta Group, emerged as the most valuable franchise.
Only the sluggish pace one has to endure to get there elicits more yawns than yays, notes Sukanya Verma.
Hockey India is set to hold an emergent Executive Board meeting on September 18 to address a deepening internal controversy involving President Dilip Tirkey and Secretary Bhola Nath Singh, stemming from a jersey colour change. The meeting will also focus on restructuring the Hockey India League (HIL) to create an independent Governing Council with franchise involvement, and discuss upcoming elections and Asian Champions Trophy hosting.
Zimbabwe is buzzing with excitement to co-host the ODI World Cup next year, marking their return after a 12-year absence. Veteran all-rounder Sikandar Raza and coach Justin Sammons express enthusiasm for playing on home soil and testing themselves against top teams like India, while also highlighting caution regarding Afghanistan's strong "X-factor" players.
The Russian T10 League has been launched, marking a significant step towards reviving and developing cricket in Russia with the long-term goal of establishing the country as a credible cricketing nation. The inaugural season will feature four franchises competing in seven matches at Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, on September 19 and 20, 2026.
Delhi Capitals are set to introduce a new coaching setup for IPL 2027, with Sourav Ganguly expected to take over as head coach, Chaminda Vaas as bowling coach, Yuvraj Singh as batting coach, and Amit Mishra also joining the team.
Veer Ganapathy, son of renowned golfer Rahul Ganapathy, is set to represent Bengaluru Stallions in the AM Green IGPL 2026. The team, also featuring Trishul Chinnappa, Sunhit Bishnoi, and Sudhir Sharma, was unveiled for the second season of India's first franchise-based professional golf league. The IGPL aims to promote golf beyond elite circles and provide exposure to young talent.
The ICC board has formed a committee to assess the impact of the growing franchise cricket leagues on the international cricket calendar, aiming to strike a balance and prevent disruption.
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is considering moving its next edition to January to avoid clashing with the Indian Premier League (IPL). Media rights holders have expressed concerns over limited advertising revenues during the current April-May window, prompting discussions within the PSL Governing Council for an earlier schedule.
The fifth edition of the Women's Premier League (WPL) is scheduled from January 14 to February 7, 2027, with the player auction slated for October 28 in Kochi, the BCCI confirmed.
Legendary Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting expresses concern over the diminishing role of One Day International (ODI) cricket due to the rapid expansion of T20 Internationals and franchise leagues worldwide. While he believes Test cricket will remain strong with support from major cricketing nations, Ponting fears the 50-over format will be played less frequently. David Warner also weighs in on the challenges and opportunities presented by the crowded T20 calendar.
Hockey India is embroiled in a significant internal dispute between President Dilip Tirkey and Secretary Bhola Nath Singh, primarily over a controversial jersey colour change and the authority to call emergent meetings. An upcoming Executive Board meeting aims to address these differences, discuss the future of the Hockey India League (HIL) including its restructuring into a joint venture, finalise election dates, and deliberate on hosting Asian Champions Trophy events.
