Amidst the ongoing PSL 2025, a major storm is reportedly brewing behind the scenes.
The contracts between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and all six Pakistan Super League franchises are set to expire after the ongoing season, and the next phase might bring serious changes.
The PCB is planning to reassess the PSL’s value, and once that’s done, they’re expected to offer current teams a chance to continue in the tournament.
But the franchise fees are likely to go up by at least 25%, as reported by Cricket Pakistan. The upcoming development has already sparked tension, especially for the most expensive team in the PSL, Multan Sultans.
Multan Sultans owner fires warning as PCB set to increase franchise fees
Multan Sultans, currently paying a massive PKR 1.08 billion every year just as a franchise fee to the PCB, have been running at a loss.
Multan franchise’s owner, Ali Tareen, has not been happy for a long time with the financial model set by the PCB in the PSL.
Even before the start of the ongoing Pakistan Super League 2025, Tareen had raised concerns, and now, his recent outrage has raised many eyebrows.
Speaking at an event in Multan, Tareen hinted that if the fee increases, his team might consider pulling out and going for a re-bid.
The PCB sources said that the board was surprised by Tareen’s statement, as all six teams had earlier agreed to continue in the PSL even with the increase in the fees.
PSL faces big price tag challenge as franchise fees set to soar
Insiders now claimed that Ali Tareen might be trying to put pressure on the PCB not to increase the fees or something bigger. However, the PCB is firm on its stance.
According to a report by Cricket Pakistan, there is no chance of a fee reduction for the next cycle of the Pakistan Super League.
After the valuation, a hike is confirmed. And if one team gets a discount, all others will demand the same, and PCB wants to avoid this situation at all costs.
If Multan Sultans do back out, they will have to go under the bidding process again, but there is no clarity on whether Tareen would be allowed to compete for ownership in PSL for a second time.
Meanwhile, many have been raising questions about why the PCB hasn’t officially responded to Tareen’s bold statement in public.
PCB against the idea of devaluing the Pakistan Super League
Sources reveal that the new valuation could push Multan Sultans’ franchise fee to a staggering PKR 1.5 billion per year. That’s a massive increase, and that’s why the owner raised concerns.
With such high numbers on the table, the pressure is now on the PSL to sell two new teams for even more, possibly over PKR 2 billion each.
But given the current economic condition, finding buyers ready to spend that much will be a tough task.
It is being said that if Multan Sultans’ fee is reduced or kept unchanged, it could make the new teams more affordable, maybe even around the PKR 1 billion mark.
And that’s why the board is against this idea. They insisted the Pakistan Super League won’t be undervalued just to make sales easier, so there’s no plan to lower the bar for anyone.
The PCB source said, “Why would we devalue our league? If anyone is dreaming of buying a franchise at a low price, they will be disappointed. Many parties, both in Pakistan and abroad, are ready to join the PSL.
