Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Ali Khan Tareen Criticises PSL Model Over Franchise Financial Strains
Ali Khan Tareen used to own the Multan Sultans cricket team.
He said owning a PSL team can look exciting at first.
Later, owners may discover that running a team costs more than expected.
All the teams compete for the same big sponsors.
This means companies may not pay as much for advertisements on shirts.
Cheap copies of team merchandise also make official products harder to sell.
Tareen said new owners have already questioned the league’s business model.
He still believes the PSL is valuable and should be improved.
Ali Khan Tareen said PSL owners often underestimate the league’s financial challenges.
He said franchises compete for the same sponsors, limiting jersey advertising revenue.
Cheap unofficial merchandise, reportedly available for around Rs 700, hurts official sales.
Tareen said three new teams had large empty spaces on their jerseys.
He called for an honest review and more sustainable PSL franchises.
- Who
- Former Multan Sultans owner Ali Khan Tareen.
- What
- Tareen criticised the Pakistan Super League’s franchise and revenue-sharing model.
- When
- During the current PSL season; no specific date was provided.
- Where
- Pakistan’s Pakistan Super League.
- Why
- He said sponsorship limits, cheap merchandise, financial pressures and reduced franchise access to the Pakistan Cricket Board make the model difficult for owners.
- Speaker
- Ali Khan Tareen, former owner of Multan Sultans
- League
- Pakistan Super League (PSL)
- Main concern
- Franchise owners may face greater financial challenges than expected after purchasing a team.
- Sponsorship issue
- All PSL teams compete for the same major brands and jersey advertising budgets.
- Merchandise issue
- Cheap unofficial copies reportedly sell for around Rs 700, limiting official merchandise revenue.
- New teams
- Tareen said three new teams had major empty spaces on their jerseys because brands rejected asking prices.
- Proposed direction
- Tareen called for an honest review and more sustainable franchises.