When the Indian Premier League (IPL) launched in 2008, it introduced a new era in cricket with eight franchises, including the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and the Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). However, the spotlight turned to the ownership of these teams in 2010, during the third season of the IPL. Shashank Manohar, the then-president of the IPL, stirred the pot by admitting to the media that there was uncertainty surrounding the owners of two IPL franchises.
This statement led to the revelation of Bollywood celebrities Preity Zinta and Shilpa Shetty's involvement with the teams, igniting a controversy that delved deep into the complexities of franchise ownership.
What were the accusations?
The accusations made during a press conference in April 2010 by Shashank Manohar were quite serious. He claimed ignorance about the real owners of the Rajasthan Royals and the Punjab Kings (PBKS). Initially, Manoj Badale was seen representing Rajasthan, followed by shareholders from a Mauritius-based firm. In response, Shilpa Shetty tweeted affirmatively about her role in running the Rajasthan Royals, indicating her active involvement with the franchise.
The case with the Punjab team was similar yet distinct. During the bidding process, Preity Zinta was the sole figure visibly keen on acquiring the team. She proposed creating a firm for this purpose and proceeded to sign the bid. However, it later emerged that no shares were registered under her name in this firm, adding to the ambiguity of ownership and compliance with IPL guidelines.
Manohar's allegations in 2010 accused Shetty and Zinta of violating BCCI agreements, which stipulate that any transfer of shares among team owners requires prior permission from the BCCI. This was a significant change, suggesting a breach of protocol and a lack of transparency in the ownership structures of these IPL franchises.
Despite these controversies, dialogues ensued between the owners of the Rajasthan and Punjab teams and the BCCI, aiming to resolve the disputes. These discussions were crucial in clarifying the ownership situation and ensuring that both franchises remained compliant with IPL's regulatory standards. As a result, both the Rajasthan Royals and the Punjab Kings managed to rectify their standings with the BCCI, allowing them to continue their participation in the IPL from 2008 to the present day.
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