History of ICL

The ICL has not even started but already commands a fair share of history.
So how did it all start?


Zee Telefilms (part of Subhash Chandra promoted Essel Group) bid for the telecast rights of the 2003 World Cup and even though their bid was the highest, it was unsuccessful. Mainly because Zee didn't have a televised Sports channel at that time. Thus was born - Zee Sports.

Zee Telefilms again bid for the telecast rights in 2004 and the whole thing ended up in a never-ending court battle. Subhash Chandra was not to be bogged down and last March he bid again for the 2006-10 rights and once again lost.

Thus was conceived the Indian Cricket League.
'If you can't buy content....create your own content' - was the mantra.

Zee Telefilms partnered with IL&FS to create this new league which would have a prize money of $1 million for the winner.

ICL was set up with a Rs 100 crore budget and would initially comprise of six teams and would be expanded to 16 in three years. This might be a little difficult with IPL slated for a massive launch next year.

For more: Wikipedia