Ahmedabad: Twelve teams, more than 50 bidders, and a combined auction value of Rs 31 crore: A cricket league built around a community has just produced auction numbers that would not look out of place in mainstream sport. The Jain Premier League’s first franchise auction has transformed it into a high-value sporting property, ushering in a new era for community cricket in India.Backed by the Jain International Trade Organisation (JITO), JPL has already received 6,500 applications from Jain players and separately secured Rs 5.11 crore in title trophy sponsorship. JITO is also planning to approach international cricket stars like Jonty Rhodes and Sanath Jayasuriya as mentors and icon players.Mumbai Sobo Star was the night’s most expensive franchise, sold for Rs 3.70 crore. Bengaluru followed at Rs 3.15 crore, while the Gujarat JPL team was picked up for Rs 2.36 crore by a businessman from Surat, revealed Shweta Hundia, secretary, JITO Sports.JITO Apex chairman Pruthviraj Kothari said the league has moved away from its earlier charity model and is now being run as a full corporate sports property. “This year, we plan to host more than 40 matches in 12 cities in April and May. The playoffs and final are likely to be held in Mumbai,” he said.He added, “We have set up a new entity, JITO Sports Foundation, to manage JPL and attract talented players. Team owners only need to pay 50 per cent of the franchise fee in the first year. The foundation covers coaching, travel, and other costs. Non-Jain investors can hold up to a 20 per cent stake in a team. Forty percent of surplus funds at the season’s end will be distributed to the teams “Teams are expected to earn through brand endorsements, and owners will eventually be able to trade their stakes at higher valuations, said Jainik Vakil, secretary, JITO Ahmedabad.JITO Apex vice-chairman Himanshu Shah said the 6,500 applications received so far are likely to grow, as many players were unavailable during exam season. “Players will be signed on three-year contracts and the fees will be determined according to their categories: A (Rs 1 lakh), B (Rs 60,000), and C (Rs 40,000). We believe JPL will connect the community in a big way,” he added.To raise the tournament’s profile, the league is also targeting marquee names. “JITO is planning to approach cricketing stars Jonty Rhodes, Sanath Jayasuriya, Ross Taylor, Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, and Munaf Patel to join as mentors or ‘icon player’ for each team’,” said Hundia.“Their involvement is expected to lend credibility and enhance the league’s technical quality and visibility. The idea is not just to host matches, but to create a pathway where cricketing talent from the community gets mentorship and an environment to train in competitively,” said Shah.The tournament is being positioned as a full-scale sports entertainment platform. Plans include grand opening and closing ceremonies with celebrity appearances. Matches will be streamed on the JITO YouTube channel and a popular OTT platform, with multi-camera production aimed at a wider, more professional broadcast experience.
