Modi Claims Top English Football Club Intends to Bid for IPL Team
Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner Lalit Modi has claimed that a top football club from England intends to bid for an IPL team, though others like Manchester United and Chelsea have denied any such interest, said media reports.
“There is a very famous football club in the UK very interested in bidding. (They are) probably one of the most famous football clubs – probably top three. They are interested in taking a stake,” Modi was quoted as saying by ‘The Times’.
However, in a quick clarification, Manchester United said that they were not interested in any such move while Modi himself shot down Chelsea’s name, reports said.
Reports said that Liverpool and Arsenal are running in debt, unsure about their long-term ownership and ruling out any such move.
Manchester City, a club acquired by Gulf-based owners, may be interested but a team official denied that Modi could be referring to them, said reports.
It may be mentioned that IPL will have two new teams from the 2011 season, which are to be auctioned before this year’s edition starting March 12.
The franchise rights’ base price has been set at USD 225 million and potential investors could make their first move as early as this week.
(Based on internet reports)
