'Kabaddi League proves viability of non-cricket tournaments'

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), which has completed 10 years and is gearing up for its 11th season, has helped create confidence among investors about the viability of non-cricket sporting leagues, said a senior executive.

«When a league like PKL goes into its season 11, we are also helping to create some market confidence that non-cricket sports leagues and the business of sport can grow,» said Anupam Goswami, league commissioner, PKL.

Many non-cricket sporting leagues were launched on the lines of the Indian Premier League (IPL), but many of them — such as the Indian Tennis Premier League, Premier Badminton League and Pro Wrestling League — are either dormant or have shut down.

PKL witnessed one major transaction when Capri Global acquired the Bengal Warriorz franchise from Future Group.

Mashal Sports, founded by Anand Mahindra and Charu Sharma, owns PKL, with Star owning 74% of the company. PKL will come under the proposed Star-Viacom18 entity, which will be controlled by Reliance Industries, once the merger gets regulatory approvals.

Mashal Sports, which had last expanded the PKL in 2017, will stick to the 12-team format. Goswami added that the 12-team format is working well.