PSL Franchise Prices Soar as Expansion Rewrites League Economics

The room at Jinnah Convention Centre carried a different kind of noise on Thursday. Not just cheers but big numbers that landed hard. 

The valuation of the Pakistan Super League surged after two new franchises were snapped up for a combined annual fee of Rs3.6 billion. FKS Group secured one slot for Rs1.75 billion, while OZ Developers went slightly higher at Rs1.85 billion.

A New Financial Ceiling

Those figures have reset the scale of franchise price. The combined annual value of the two incoming franchises now stands 34 percent above the total fees paid by the league’s original five sides. Lahore Qalandars, Karachi Kings, Islamabad United, Peshawar Zalmi, and Quetta Gladiators together contribute Rs2.64 billion per season. 

Among the original group, Islamabad United carries the highest annual obligation at Rs780 million. Lahore follows at Rs670 million. Karachi and Peshawar sit close, while Quetta remains the lowest at Rs380 million. 

Multan Sultans Remain In Spotlight

Expansion has also dragged unresolved matters back into focus. Multan Sultans, previously the league’s costliest asset, paid Rs1.08 billion annually before ownership talks stalled. The planned 25 percent hike after revaluation proved decisive. The owners chose not to continue, citing mounting losses over successive seasons.

Ali Tareen’s departure statement carried weight without drama. The bond was emotional, the balance sheet unforgiving. As a result, the Multan Sultans will operate under board control for the upcoming season.

Board Steps In

The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed it would run the franchise temporarily, a rare move in league history.

Chairman Mohsin Naqvi laid out the plan last month. The board will manage Multan for PSL 11, then return it to the open market once the season concludes.

The league is growing faster than its past models predicted. New money has arrived, and expectations have increased. What comes next will decide whether this valuation spike becomes a foundation or a warning.

For now, the PSL business table looks very different from what it did a year ago.