NewKerala.com

Chris Gayle Co-Owns Glasgow Team in New European T20 Premier League

The European T20 Premier League has announced the Glasgow Mugafians as its Scotland-based franchise, co-owned by West Indies legend Chris Gayle and Tansha Batra. The league's first edition in 2026 will feature six teams from cities like Glasgow, Amsterdam, and Dublin, playing 33 matches. It has attracted high-profile owners including Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan for the league and other cricketing greats like Steve Waugh and Glenn Maxwell for individual teams. The ETPL is being developed in partnership with the national cricket boards of Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands.

Key Points: European T20 Premier League Launches with Chris Gayle as Owner

  • Inaugural ICC-approved European T20 league
  • Six franchises across major European cities
  • Chris Gayle as co-owner and brand ambassador
  • League scheduled for August-September 2026
3 min read

ETPL announces Glasgow franchise, Gayle acquires team ownership

The ETPL announces Glasgow Mugafians, co-owned by Chris Gayle and Tansha Batra, as part of its 2026 launch with six European city franchises.

"Europe represents cricket's final frontier. - Chris Gayle"

Mumbai, April 20

The European T20 Premier League, Europe's inaugural ICC-approved T20 franchise competition, has unveiled the 'Glasgow Mugafians,' its Glasgow-based team representing Scotland. The franchise is owned by Tansha Batra, with West Indies icon Chris Gayle serving as co-owner and Global Brand Ambassador.

The first edition of the ETPL is scheduled from August 26 to September 20, 2026. It will feature six franchises from Glasgow, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Dublin, Belfast, and Rotterdam, competing in 33 matches.

Speaking about the Glasgow franchise, Abhishek Bachchan, Bollywood actor and co-owner of ETPL, said, "We are delighted to welcome the Mugafi Group and Chris Gayle to this journey. Europe represents one of the most exciting frontiers for cricket, a region rich in sporting culture, diversity and untapped potential. With the ETPL, we are not just building a league but creating a platform that can unlock talent, unite markets and establish Europe as a powerful new centre of the global game."

Tansha Batra, owner of Glasgow Mugafians, said, "This is not about bringing cricket to Scotland. Cricket has been here for a very long time - in the parks, in the clubs, in the communities. What we're building is a franchise that finally gives all of that a professional home. Glasgow Mugafians is where Scotland's cricket story stops being a secret and starts being told to the world."

Chris Gayle, co-owner and Global Brand Ambassador of Glasgow Mugafians, said, "Stepping into the role of co-owner of Glasgow Mugafians marks an exciting new chapter for me. The ETPL is already creating waves globally, and having played in franchise leagues around the world, I'm confident this will be something special. Europe represents cricket's final frontier, and the ETPL has the potential to unravel promising local talent and nurture future heroes who will strengthen the sport in that region. I can't wait to get started on this new journey."

The ETPL has drawn some of the most reputable names in global cricket and sports as franchise owners. The Amsterdam team is supported by Australian cricket legend Steve Waugh and hockey star Jamie Dwyer, with Mitchell Marsh serving as captain. Belfast is co-owned by Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, while Edinburgh is led by New Zealand internationals Kyle Mills and Nathan McCullum, with Mitchell Santner as captain. Glasgow now joins this prestigious group, with Chris Gayle and Tansha Batra of the Mugafi Group at the helm.

The European T20 Premier League (ETPL) is being developed in partnership with Cricket Ireland, Cricket Scotland and Royal Dutch Cricket Association.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Love to see Indian ownership and Bollywood involvement with Abhishek Bachchan. It shows the growing influence of Indian cricket entrepreneurship globally. Tansha Batra's point about giving Scotland's existing cricket culture a professional home is spot on.
R
Rohit P
Chris Gayle as a co-owner is a masterstroke for marketing! The 'Universe Boss' will bring the entertainment factor. But I hope the focus remains on developing European players and not just becoming a retirement league for overseas stars. The structure with local cricket boards is promising.
S
Sarah B
As someone who has lived in the UK, it's great to see a proper franchise league coming to Europe. The calendar is already packed though - August-September 2026. Will top players be available, or will it clash with other leagues?
V
Vikram M
Impressive lineup of owners from the cricketing world. Maxwell, Marsh, Santner, Gayle... all current or recent players. This should ensure good quality cricket. Looking forward to watching some matches. Hope Indian broadcasters pick it up.
K
Kavya N
While the ambition is great, I have a respectful criticism. We have so many T20 leagues now. Is the market not getting oversaturated? The success will depend on whether European fans embrace it as passionately as fans in India, Australia, or the Caribbean do for their leagues.
M

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50