BPL eyes potential return to auction system after franchise consultations
The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) could see a major shift in its player recruitment model, as several interested franchise owners have urged a return to the auction system ahead of the tournament’s next edition, scheduled for December 2025 to January 2026.
In a key step toward organizing the upcoming season, the BPL Governing Council held discussions on Thursday with representatives from 11 organizations vying for team ownership. The meeting focused not just on franchise selection, but also on proposed changes to the league’s operational framework — most notably, the potential reinstatement of the player auction format.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, BPL Governing Council Member Secretary Iftekhar Rahman Mithu confirmed that the topic of auctions was officially raised by the prospective owners.
“The issue of bringing back the auction system was discussed today. We’ll talk about it further in our next meeting. We still have time, as the players’ draft is scheduled after November 15. We’ve taken note of the proposal, and we’ll decide based on what’s best for the league,” Mithu said.
Franchises see auction as key to competitiveness and excitement
The auction format was used in the league’s initial two editions in 2012 and 2013 before being replaced by a draft system from 2015 onward. That draft model has remained in place ever since. But some franchises believe reverting to an auction will enhance the league’s marketability and competitiveness, particularly by intensifying bidding for marquee players.
The BPL Governing Council is expected to meet again before the players’ draft — currently scheduled for post-November 15 — to make a final decision on the auction proposal. The council will also confirm the list of selected franchises and finalize team ownerships in advance of the draft proceedings.
IMG brought in as BPL gears up for a more professional edition
In a bid to professionalize the tournament’s operations, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has appointed global sports event management company IMG to take full charge of organizing the BPL this season. The move signals a broader push to elevate the league’s standards and streamline logistics ahead of what is expected to be a competitive edition.
As the BPL looks to redefine its structure and improve overall execution, the return of the auction system could mark a pivotal change — if approved in the weeks to come.
