The Tareen Group has officially joined the bidding for new Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises, just a month after Ali Tareen exited Multan Sultans.
Media sources confirm that the Tareen Group has submitted all necessary documents to bid for two new PSL teams. They will compete with 11 other companies from Pakistan, the UAE, the United States, Australia, and Canada, provided they meet the technical requirements. The franchise auction is scheduled for January 8 at the Islamabad Convention Centre.
This development comes as Multan Sultans’ separation from its current ownership is set to be finalized by the PSL board on December 31. Relations between the Tareen family and the PSL had reportedly worsened over recent months. Ali Tareen criticized league management publicly, raising questions about governance on podcasts and social media.
Following a notice from the board, Tareen posted a video tearing it up with mocking commentary. Unlike other franchises, Multan Sultans was not offered a renewed contract with revised fees. Tareen said, “I’d rather lose the team than run it on my knees, but stand tall with my head held high. This is goodbye.” He also informed PSL officials via email. Reports suggest the board requested an apology and removal of posts, which he refused.
According to league rules, current franchise owners cannot bid for new teams. Once Tareen officially exits on December 31, he will become eligible to participate in the auction. Multan Sultans currently pays Rs. 1.08 billion annually, the highest in the PSL. New franchises are expected to sell for Rs. 1.25 to 1.5 billion.
The 12 bidding entities include firms from mobile phones, solar energy, real estate, and other sectors, with some forming consortiums. Preliminary bidding results will be announced on Saturday. Successful bidders will hold franchises for a decade (2026–2035) and may choose team locations including Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Sialkot, Muzaffarabad, or Gilgit, subject to PSL approval. Each franchise requires a one-time fee of $1 million.
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