The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has guaranteed a minimum central pool income of Rs850 million to each Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise for the next five editions of the tournament, starting from the 11th edition in 2026. The move aims to provide financial stability to franchises amid varying ownership costs and the upcoming expansion of the league.
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According to clause 6.4 of the agreement signed between the PCB and the PSL franchises, if a team’s share from the central pool income falls below Rs850 million in any of the next five editions, the PCB will compensate for the shortfall. This clause has addressed long-standing concerns regarding potential financial losses faced by some franchises.
The provision of PSL is particularly significant for Quetta Gladiators, Islamabad United, and Peshawar Zalmi, whose franchise fees are considerably lower than those of Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, and Multan Sultans. Sources indicate that Quetta Gladiators are valued at Rs360 million, Peshawar Zalmi at Rs480 million, and Islamabad United at Rs490 million. In comparison, Karachi Kings are valued at Rs650 million, Lahore Qalandars at Rs670 million, while Multan Sultans have the highest valuation at Rs1.8 billion.
Meanwhile, the PCB has set a base price of Rs1.3 billion for each of the two new teams that will be auctioned in Islamabad on January 8. With their inclusion, the overall financial landscape of the PSL is expected to change significantly.
All franchises of PSL are required to spend approximately $1.4 million on players’ fees, accommodation, and travel expenses during the tournament. As a result, the operational costs for higher-valued teams — including the two new franchises, Multan Sultans, Karachi Kings, and Lahore Qalandars — remain close to the guaranteed minimum income. In contrast, the lower-valued franchises benefit more substantially from the PCB’s income guarantee.
The disparity in franchise valuations and costs was previously highlighted by former Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen, who argued that his franchise was incurring losses due to its high valuation under the existing financial model. Following these concerns, the PCB did not renew ownership rights for the Sultans’ previous owners, while extending renewals to the other five franchises.
Despite differences in ownership costs, all franchises continue to receive equal shares from the central pool. Under the league’s financial structure, 95 per cent of the central pool income is distributed evenly among the franchises, while the remaining five per cent is retained by the PCB.
Clause 6.5 of the agreement outlines the payment schedule, stating that 50 per cent of the income will be paid two months after the tournament, 40 per cent after four months, and the remaining 10 per cent after nine months or upon completion of the PCB’s audit, whichever comes first.
Additionally, clause 6.6 introduces incentives linked to media revenue growth. If the PCB’s annual net media revenue exceeds Rs3 billion, any excess amount up to Rs50 million will be allocated for procuring elite international players and shared between the PCB and franchises in an 80:20 ratio.
Overall, the guaranteed income model is expected to strengthen franchise confidence, reduce financial risk, and support the PSL’s long-term growth as one of the premier T20 leagues in the world.
