Chris Gayle Starts New Journey as Franchise Owner
Chris Gayle has taken a big step after his playing career by becoming a franchise owner in the European T20 Premier League.
On April 20, the league announced a new team called the Glasgow Mugafians, which will represent Glasgow. This team will be co-owned by Gayle along with Indian businesswoman Tansha Batra.
Gayle will also serve as the global brand ambassador of the team. Known as one of the greatest T20 players, this move marks a new chapter in his cricket journey.
Chris Gayle Shares His Excitement
Gayle has played more than 460 T20 matches around the world and is one of the biggest names in franchise cricket. Speaking about his new role, he said that becoming a co-owner is an exciting step for him.
He believes that the ETPL has strong potential and can grow into a major global league. His experience from different T20 leagues will help in building the team and the tournament.
Vision Behind Glasgow Mugafians
Co-owner Tansha Batra highlighted that the Glasgow Mugafians will help bring Scotland’s cricket story to the global stage. The aim is to make the team popular and create strong fan support.
With a mix of business and cricket experience, the franchise is expected to build a strong identity in the tournament.
What is European T20 Premier League (ETPL)?
The European T20 Premier League is a new ICC-approved T20 tournament in Europe. It is co-owned by Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan.
The league is being developed in partnership with Cricket Ireland, Cricket Scotland, and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association. It aims to expand cricket in European countries and create new opportunities for players.
The first season of ETPL will be played from August 26 to September 20, 2026, with a total of 33 matches.
ETPL Teams and Cities
The tournament will feature six teams from different European cities:
| City | Team |
|---|---|
| Glasgow | Glasgow Mugafians |
| Amsterdam | Amsterdam Franchise |
| Edinburgh | Edinburgh Franchise |
| Dublin | Dublin Franchise |
| Belfast | Belfast Franchise |
| Rotterdam | Rotterdam Franchise |
Other Big Names in ETPL
Apart from Chris Gayle, many well-known cricket personalities are also part of the league.
The Amsterdam team will be owned by Steve Waugh and hockey star Jamie Dwyer. Mitchell Marsh will captain that team.
The Belfast franchise will be co-owned by Glenn Maxwell.
The Edinburgh team will be owned by former New Zealand players Kyle Mills and Nathan McCullum. The team will be led by Mitchell Santner.
A New Future for Franchise Cricket
With big names, new teams, and growing interest, the European T20 Premier League looks promising. The entry of Chris Gayle as an owner adds strong star power to the league.
As cricket continues to grow globally, ETPL could become an important platform for both players and fans, especially in Europe where the sport is still developing.
Fans will now be waiting to see how the Glasgow Mugafians perform and how this new league shapes the future of franchise cricket.
