The Women’s Premier League (WPL) is a highly-anticipated event in the world of cricket, bringing together some of the best female players from around the globe to compete for the coveted title. In recent years, the WPL has seen a significant increase in interest and participation, with many top-level teams vying for the top spot. In this article, we will take a closer look at the team owners, bid amounts, and overall growth of the WPL.
Team Owners and Bid Amounts
The WPL auction is always a highly-anticipated event, as it gives fans a glimpse into the inner workings of the league and the teams that will be competing. This year, the auction saw several new team owners entering the fray, along with some familiar faces.
The BCCI had issued an Invitation to Tender for the right to own and operate 5 (five) Womens premier league (WPL 2023) franchises. Various interested parties submitted bids for the WPL franchises as part of the tender process. The authorized representatives of the interested parties submitted their financial bids. The highest bid amount was placed by the Adani Sportsline Pvt Ltd (Gujarat – Ahmedabad), who shelled out a whopping 1289 Crores for the rights to the Gujarat team.
Following are the successful bidders and owner of new women’s premier leauge (WPL) Teams 2023:
| S. No. | Successful Bidder | City | Amount in INR |
| 1. | Adani Sportsline Pvt. Ltd | Ahmedabad | 1289 crores |
| 2. | Indiawin Sports Pvt. Ltd | Mumbai | 912.99 crores |
| 3. | Royal Challengers Sports Pvt. Ltd | Bengaluru | 901 crores |
| 4. | JSW GMR Cricket Pvt. Ltd | Delhi | 810 crores |
| 5. | Capri Global Holdings Pvt. Ltd | Lucknow | 757 crores |
The WPL’s inaugural season will feature 5 (five) franchises:
Mr Roger Binny, BCCI President said: “I congratulate the winners on their successful bids to purchase WPL teams. The league will provide an opportunity for players from India and abroad to learn and grow together. With the inclusion of more female cricketers, it will pave the way for grassroots development. I’d also like to congratulate the BCCI team on a job well done during the auction. I am confident that the league will enable our female cricketers to shine on a global stage.”
FIVE TEAMS
FIVE VENUES 🏟️
Welcome to the Women’s Premier League 🙌🙌#WPL pic.twitter.com/29MNGEDDXe
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 25, 2023
BCCI Honorary Secretary, Mr Jay Shah said, “It is a momentous occasion in women’s cricket. I am delighted to welcome to the Women’s Premier League Adani Sportsline Pvt. Ltd, Indiawin Sports Pvt. Ltd, Royal Challengers Sports Pvt. Ltd, JSW GMR Cricket Pvt. Ltd, and Capri Global Holdings Pvt. Ltd. The collective bid of INR 4669.99 crore demonstrates that our stakeholders fully support the concept and trust the BCCI’s vision and plans for the league. I’d like to thank everyone who took part for their overwhelming response. I believe that the league will be commercially independent and self-sustaining after a record Media Rights valuation earlier this year and now with these high bids.
The league will undoubtedly increase strength, but it will also create a more equitable future for women and girls in our sport. We are at a tipping point in women’s cricket, with the WPL and the earlier pay-parity decision serving as significant stepping stones.”
Today is a historic day in cricket as the bidding for teams of inaugural #WPL broke the records of the inaugural Men’s IPL in 2008! Congratulations to the winners as we garnered Rs.4669.99 Cr in total bid. This marks the beginning of a revolution in women’s cricket and paves the
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) January 25, 2023
READ MORE: Women’s Premier League 2023
BCCI Vice-President, Mr Rajeev Shukla said: “With the WPL, our women cricketers will have the unique opportunity to develop, thrive, and excel on the global stage, ushering in a new era of inclusivity. It fills my heart with pride to witness such a positive transformation in women’s cricket. This will undoubtedly set a new standard for women’s cricket. Congratulations to the new owners!.”
Women’s IPL is a revolutionary step towards promoting cricket at grassroot level which will encourage girls across the country to take up the game as a career option. With pay parity in cricket & #WomensIPL, an inclusive sports culture is now in place. Kudos @BCCI @JayShah
— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) January 25, 2023
IPL Governing Council, Mr Arun Dhumal said: “It’s an honour and a pleasure to see the participants’ eagerness to invest in the inaugural season of the Women’s Premier League. This is a strong testament to the value women’s cricket can provide, and with it, a central pool of self-sustaining resources for women’s cricket will be established. With the start of the WPL, I’m confident that women’s cricket will reach new heights.”
Mr Ashish Shelar, BCCI Treasurer said, “I congratulate and thank all bidders for their confidence in the Women’s Premier League. The teams received a total bid of INR 4669.99, a record for a women’s tournament and a sign of things to come. The Women’s Premier League (WPL) will provide an unrivalled platform for our female cricketers to thrive and excel.”
Mr Devajit Saikia, BCCI Joint Secretary said: “It truly is a momentous moment in the history of women’s cricket and women in sports. We had 16 parties submit bids, demonstrating their confidence in the new league’s abilities. The Women’s Premier League has already generated a lot of buzz, and these five teams will take it to the next level.”
Smriti Mandhana Said on twitter:
A huge round of applause to @BCCI and @JayShah for their pioneering move to establish a Women’s #PL. This is a brilliant step for Indian women’s cricket, and it’s exciting to see the potential and talent that will be on display from world over. #WPL
— Smriti Mandhana (@mandhana_smriti) January 25, 2023
Today is the day where you get to put your middle finger up to all those people who have devalued women’s sport..
The @BCCI have recognised something special is happening and are going to give female cricketers the platform they deserve
Here comes the #WPL 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 https://t.co/hQy8GpLuoX
— Kate Cross (@katecross16) January 25, 2023
Women’s premier league is now the 2nd most expensive cricket league, after men’s ipl, Big thanks to @BCCI and @JayShah sir. #wpl pic.twitter.com/0MaMbTESGF
— Pooja Vastrakar (@Vastrakarp25) January 25, 2023
Growth of the WPL:
The WPL has seen a steady increase in popularity and participation in recent years, with more and more teams and players joining the league each year. This can be attributed to several factors, including the increasing popularity of women’s cricket, the rise of social media and streaming platforms, and the growing number of female fans and spectators. The league has also seen a significant increase in sponsorship and investment, with many top companies and brands now sponsoring teams and players.
Reactions:
The WPL auction and growth of the league have been met with positive reactions from industry experts and fans alike. Many have praised the league for its competitive nature and the high level of skill and athleticism displayed by the players. Others have applauded the league for its efforts to promote and support women’s cricket and for providing a platform for female athletes to showcase their talents.
Conclusion:
The Women’s Premier League is a highly-anticipated event in the world of cricket, with many top-level teams vying for the top spot. The league has seen a significant increase in interest and participation in recent years, with many top companies and brands now sponsoring teams and players. With the growth of women’s cricket, social media and streaming platforms, and the growing number of female fans and spectators, the league is set to continue to grow in popularity and success in the coming years.
