KKR OWNERS TO ACQUIRE TRINIDAD & TOBAGO FRANCHISE IN THE CARRIBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE (CPL)

Tuesday 16^th June 2015 – Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

The Hero Caribbean Premier League is today thrilled to announce that the owners of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), one of the top franchises in the IPL, intends to acquire the Trinidad & Tobago franchise, subject to all the regulatory and board approvals.

KKR were IPL champions in 2012 and 2014 and ranked by Forbes earlier this year to have the highest brand value in the IPL. They will be hoping to replicate their IPL success with the T&T franchise that boasts high quality players including captain, Dwayne Bravo and South African legend, Jacques Kallis, who played with great success for KKR for several years and continues to be a mentor and batting consultant.

The involvement of KKR, led by Bollywood’s most popular film star, Shah Rukh Khan, will propel the CPL to new heights in India. ‘SRK’ joins Hollywood stars, Mark Wahlberg (Barbados Tridents) and Gerard Butler (Jamaica Tallawahs) as the latest high-profile CPL franchise-owner. Khan also has a fanatical following in Trinidad & Tobago, and their fans will be flocking to the Queen’s Park Oval to watch their side play in their home games from 14^th – 19^th July.

Mr. Shah Rukh Khan, commenting on the proposed acquisition, said: "This is in line with our vision to expand globally and we are thrilled to become part of the great cricketing tradition of Trinidad & Tobago. The passion for franchise cricket in the Caribbean is evident with the success of CPL and we hope to bring all the best practices of KKR to the T&T franchise." 

Venky Mysore, CEO of KKR, said, “We have been fortunate to be recognized as one of the most professionally managed franchises in IPL. Our positive experience in building a successful franchise has encouraged us to expand globally. The success of CPL and the Trinidad & Tobago franchise in particular, makes it a very good fit for us.”

Damien O’Donohoe, Chief Executive Officer, Hero CPL, said: “This deal represents yet another great step forward in the story of the CPL as it grows in status and popularity around the world. KKR are a huge franchise in the world of cricket, so for a brand like theirs to choose to invest in the CPL proves that we are doing all the right things and heading in the right direction. It’s a really positive step for the competition and for Caribbean cricket in general.”

Pete Russell, Chief Operating Officer, Hero CPL, said: “We are delighted to welcome the KKR ownership on board. Shah Rukh is a huge name around the world and is also very popular in Trinidad & Tobago, so this is a perfect fit. Trinidad & Tobago is one of the heartlands of Caribbean cricket, and a hugely important market for the CPL, and this will help the franchise, as well as the wider competition, continue to grow both at home and around the world.”

CPL 2015 runs from 20^th June to 26^th July. Last year’s tournament attracted a global audience in excess of 65 million and this year is set to be even higher as fans across the world continue to be drawn to the high quality action on the pitch and the unique party atmosphere off it.

ENDS

ABOUT THE HERO CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE

The Hero Caribbean Premier League is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament that combines two of the most compelling aspects of Caribbean life – dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere.  The Barbados Tridents are the defending champions from 2014.