Pakistan Super League teams seek lower player salary purse amid rising costs

LAHORE: Certain franchises of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) have proposed to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to cut the base player salary fund, stating that the current figure is excessive, according to sources. This request was made during the latest PSL Council meeting, held in London last week under the leadership of PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

However, sources indicate the PCB chairman did not address the matter at the time. Since the league's inception in its first 10 seasons, the PCB increased the base player salary fund to $1.6 million per franchise, approximately Rs450 million, through the auction system. The fund can be raised to $1.8 million, or roughly Rs505 million, to allow for the direct hiring of one eligible foreign player who did not play in the previous season.

Currently, high-profile players can be contracted for up to $150,000, mid-tier players for $80,000, lower-tier players for $40,000, and junior tier players for $21,500. The request for a reduction in the purse stems from the sale of three franchises - Hyderabad, Rawalpindi, and Multan Sultans - this year for significant amounts.

Hyderabad was sold for Rs1.75 billion, Rawalpindi for Rs1.85 billion, and Multan Sultans for Rs1.08 billion. The new owners of these franchises subsequently repurchased their teams at lower prices, causing financial strain. These issues extend beyond the franchises, as the PCB itself is also facing problems with outstanding payments.

Some league stakeholders have yet to settle their arrears with the PCB, adding to the financial pressures.