Salman Khan could become the latest Bollywood superstar to join the Indian Premier League (IPL) bandwagon, with the actor today expressing his interest in bidding for a franchise for the 2011 edition of the cash-rich event.
Salman met IPL Chairman and Commissioner Lalit Modi and discussed the procedure to buy a team for the 2011 edition, which will see the addition of two more franchises.
Modi disclosed that Salman was in discussion with him on this matter for the last few months but they had a formal meeting only now.
He said although it was too early to say anything, he felt the actor was a “serious buyer”. “He was interested to know what it takes to own a team, what’s the process, when it will be initiated and what’s the timeline for it. I think he is a serious buyer.”
Asked if he was interested in any particular existing team or a new team, Modi said “it’s for a new team”.
IPL is set to introduce two new teams in the 2011 season and the franchise may “cost over $200-300 million”.
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At present, Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla (Kolkata Knight Riders), Preity Zinta (King’s XI Punjab) and Shilpa Shetty (Rajasthan Royals) are associated with the high-profile Twenty20 cricket tournament.
Modi also disclosed that he had a long list of celebrities interested in buying a team in the IPL. “We have a large number of people interested in it with over 20 celebrities asking to become franchisees, although I don’t want to name them,” he said.
He also admitted that having a film star added to the glitter of the event.
Modi added the IPL organising committee will inform all the prospective buyers once it begins the bidding process.