Manchester United to own a franchise in WIPL? Owners confirm interest

The craze for the forthcoming inaugural Women's IPL is at an all-time high. With the continuous rise of the women's cricket in India, the BCCI is set to host the first-ever Women's IPL in March, 2023. Ahead of the showpiece event, the Manchester United owners, who had tried their hand to acquire an Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise in 2021, confirmed their interest in the forthcoming women's tournament.

On the sidelines of the ongoing ILT20 in Dubai, where Man Unitedowns the Desert Vipers team, a representative for the owners told Cricbuzz that the Avaram Glazer islooking at the WIPL.

"Having bought into the ILT20, it is natural for us to look into other cricket opportunities around the world, including Women's IPL," Phil Oliver, the CEO of Desert Vipers, told the cricket portal on Friday (January 13). As per reports, the BCCI is settoconduct theauction for the WIPL franchises later this month, on January 25. Meanwhile, the media rights auction will take place on January 16.

Oliver, however,didn'treveal if the club hasbought the Invitation To Tender (ITT) document, which is a prerequisite for buying a side in WIPL. "I can't reveal the details of how far we are in that process but I am happy to say that we are looking into all opportunities, including the WIPL. The India market is of interest to us. A lot of Indian cricket fans will be watching this tournament and will see what the Desert Vipers will bring to that. If anything, we want to bring an exciting brand of cricket to the Indian fans, just as to our fans all around the world," Oliver asserted. It is to be noted the ITT will be up for purchase till January 21.

It is believed that Man United were keen to buy one of the two new IPL teams, i.e. the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) -- eventually bought by Sanjiv Goenka group -- and Gujarat Titans (now owned byCVC Capital Group) in late 2021. Nonetheless, Oliver was quick to point out that not Man United butAvaram Glazer, of Lancer Capital, had bid for an IPL team.

Hence, Oliver clarified, "Just to draw the initial distinction, it was not Manchester United which was looking at an IPL team. The distinction is important. Avaram Glazer of Lancer Capital bid for an IPL team when it expanded last year. That company has bought a franchise in ILT20, Desert Viper, and Manchester United is not represented here."