Neil Maxwell man behind securing Indian funding for Oz IPL-style T20 tournament
By ANIFriday, October 29, 2010
SYDNEY - Former New South Wales all-rounder Neil Maxwell has emerged as the mastermind behind Australia’s version of a Indian Premier League (IPL)-style Twenty20 tournament.
According to Fox Sports, Maxwell has been secretly working on the tournament for the past 18 months, and is the man responsible for securing over 60 million dollars in corporate support from Indian investors.
The 43-year-old’s involvement in the tournament scheduled for 2012 began in early 2009, when he held talks with New South Wales and Victorian cricket administrators.
He has since been to India ‘half a dozen times’ to pursue rich Indian investors to buy shares in shares in Twenty20 franchises of NSW and Victoria.
When asked about his contribution in the tournament, Maxwell said: “Cricket Australia is currently in discussions about the concept and the future of the game, and it’s up to the board to decide what happens next.”
Maxwell is also the agent of Australian players including Michael Hussey, Brett Lee and Marcus North.
The tournament will have eight teams playing each other twice before a finals series.
NSW and Victoria will have two teams, and the other states one each. (ANI)
