Steve Waugh, Glenn Maxwell & Kyle Mills Join European T20 Premier League as Franchise Owners

The European T20 Premier League (ETPL) is finally set to become a reality, with cricket legends Steve Waugh, Glenn Maxwell, and Kyle Mills unveiled as franchise owners in a landmark announcement from Sydney.

ETPL Set for August 26 Launch

After years of planning and a postponement from its originally scheduled 2025 launch, the ICC-sanctioned European T20 Premier League is targeting an August 26 start date. The six-team, 34-match competition represents cricket's ambitious expansion into the European market.

"You know, it feels like August 26 is right around the corner. That's when the ETPL is going to take off. We are here in Sydney to announce the first three teams, which are Amsterdam, Belfast and Edinburgh. Later next month, we will be able to announce the next three teams. We have been working towards it for the last two years and are very excited that it has all come together just as planned."

— Abhishek Bachchan, League Owner

Star-Studded Ownership Groups Announced

Amsterdam Franchise

The Amsterdam team boasts an impressive ownership consortium led by World Cup-winning former Australia captain Steve Waugh. Joining him are:

• Jamie Dwyer – Five-time World Player of the Year and Olympic gold medallist in hockey
• Tim Thomas – Former CEO of the Centre for Australia-India Relations and former Partner at KPMG Australia

Waugh expressed his enthusiasm for the venture, emphasizing the project's long-term vision:

"I've always been selective about where I invest my time and energy in cricket. Franchise cricket has expanded quickly, but this opportunity stood out because it is driven by aspiration and long-term thinking. In many ways, it marks a return to the game for me - but in a very different role. This is about helping uphold the standards and spirit of cricket while supporting its growth into Europe, which remains the game's last great frontier."

— Steve Waugh

Edinburgh Franchise

The Scottish capital's team will be owned by two former New Zealand cricket stars:

• Nathan McCullum – Brother of former New Zealand skipper and current England coach Brendon McCullum
• Kyle Mills – Former New Zealand fast bowler and former ICC No.1-ranked ODI bowler

Belfast Franchise – Irish Wolves

Australian T20 superstar Glenn Maxwell will lead the Belfast-based "Irish Wolves" franchise alongside Rohan Lund, former Group CEO of NRMA. Additional strategic partners are expected to be announced in due course.

"I am thrilled to be involved with the Irish Wolves, where we will build a culture of fun, family and playing without fear. The Irish people love their sport and Cricket Ireland have made huge strides in expanding the game over the last two decades. The Wolves and the European T20 Premier League will accelerate that growth and I feel super proud to be leading the franchise in its inaugural year."

— Glenn Maxwell

Strategic Scheduling to Avoid Clashes

The August-September window has been carefully selected to minimize conflicts with other major T20 leagues. While there will be slight overlap with the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), the ETPL successfully avoids clashing with:

• England's The Hundred
• Major League Cricket (MLC) in the USA

League Structure and Governance

The ETPL operates as an ICC-sanctioned, global multi-country franchise league with backing from three European cricket boards:

• KNCB – Royal Dutch Cricket Association (Netherlands)
• Cricket Ireland (CI)
• Cricket Scotland (CS)

Salary Cap and Broadcast Details

According to Bachchan, final details regarding the salary cap and broadcast timings are still being negotiated.

"The salary cap is in the final stages and will be announced once all six teams are on board. We are negotiating that with all six teams to reach a consensus."

— Abhishek Bachchan

The Road Ahead for European Cricket

The ETPL represents a significant milestone in cricket's global expansion strategy. With Europe identified as "the game's last great frontier" by Steve Waugh, the league aims to accelerate the sport's growth across the continent.

The remaining three franchises are expected to be announced later in the coming weeks, completing the six-team lineup ahead of the August 26 launch.

What This Means for Cricket's Future

The involvement of high-profile cricket personalities as franchise owners signals strong confidence in the European market's potential. With experienced administrators, legendary players, and substantial backing from three national cricket boards, the ETPL is positioned to become a significant addition to the global T20 franchise circuit.

Cricket fans across Europe and worldwide will be watching closely as the league takes its first steps toward establishing the sport's presence in new territories.