The success of the inaugural Hockey India League seems to have caught the attention of the country's top corporate houses with eight of them expressing interest in owning the sixth fanchise that will be added to the event next year.
According to a source in Hockey India, the success of the first edition of HIL has increased the interest among corporate houses for the sixth franchise, which will be based out of one of these five cities -- Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bhopal and Bhuveneshwar.
"There were no takers for the sixth franchise in this year's HIL but the tournament's success has hightened the interest among corporates to buy the sixth team. Eight top corporate houses are in the running to buy the sixth franchise," the source told PTI.
"We are in talks with them and whoever comes on board at the earliest will become the owner of the sixth team. The choice of the city is entirely the owner's prerogative but they will have to select their home base out of the five cities which we have already earmarked," he added.
Five teams -- Delhi Wizards, Ranchi Rhinos, Uttar Pradesh Wizards, Jaypee Punjab Warriors and Dabur Mumbai Magicians-- competed in this year's HIL, which was originally planned as a six-team affair, but the sixth outfit went unsold.
It was also learnt that the organisers are planning to rope in a brand ambassador for each team from next year.
