Cricket legends Steve Waugh and Glenn Maxwell are embarking on an ambitious new venture, becoming co-owners of T20 franchises in Europe's burgeoning professional league. The iconic Australian figures are set to conquer what Waugh describes as cricket's "final frontier" through their involvement in the six-team European T20 Premier League.
A New Frontier for Cricket
The European T20 Premier League, scheduled to commence in late August, represents a significant expansion of professional cricket into untapped markets. The competition will feature franchises based in Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam, creating a new pathway for the sport across the continent.
Waugh's Amsterdam Flames
Steve Waugh is part of a consortium leading the Amsterdam Flames franchise, and he has already secured some impressive signings for the team's inaugural seasons. The former Australian captain expressed his enthusiasm about bringing elite cricket to Europe.
"I am really excited to sign Mitchell Marsh as our captain for our initial couple of seasons," Waugh announced. "He is a fantastic leader and T20 captain of Australia. We also have Steve Smith, a legend of the game and another captain of Australia. So they are massive signings straight up."
Waugh also confirmed that Dutch captain Scott Edwards has joined the Amsterdam side, creating a blend of international and local talent.
Maxwell's Irish Wolves
Meanwhile, Glenn Maxwell has invested in the Irish Wolves franchise based in Belfast. The dynamic all-rounder, renowned for his explosive T20 performances, outlined his vision for the team.
"The Irish people love their sport and Cricket Ireland have made huge strides in expanding the game over the last two decades," Maxwell said. "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."
Maxwell indicated his team would embrace a philosophy of "fun" and playing with "no fear," reflecting his own approach to the game.
Building a European Cricket Legacy
Waugh emphasized the strategic importance of establishing professional cricket in Europe, noting that thirty-five European countries already participate in the sport at various levels.
"Really it is the final frontier for cricket, Europe," Waugh explained. "There are 35 countries in Europe that play cricket and it is a chance to develop cricket there, but also to bring in global superstars. It is an exciting phase to be part of."
The cricket great pointed out that while the Indian Premier League and other T20 competitions have flourished worldwide, Europe has remained largely unexplored territory for professional franchise cricket until now.
Additional Franchise Developments
The league continues to take shape with former New Zealand internationals Kyle Mills and Nathan McCullum confirmed as co-owners of Edinburgh's Castle Rockers. Announcements regarding the Rotterdam, Glasgow, and Dublin franchises are expected in the coming weeks as the competition builds toward its August launch.
Entrepreneurial Vision Meets Cricket Passion
Since retiring from international cricket, Steve Waugh has pursued various business and entrepreneurial endeavors that have prepared him for franchise ownership. He sees this European venture as more than just another business opportunity.
"I am really excited to be a part of developing cricketers around Europe and putting on a showcase Europe has never seen before," he said with evident passion.
Bollywood star and ETPL co-founder Abhishek Bachchan confirmed August 26 as the competition's start date, describing Europe as "a market just waiting for a T20 professional league to erupt on."
The European T20 Premier League represents a bold step forward for cricket's global expansion, combining the business acumen of former players with the excitement of T20 cricket in new markets. With high-profile owners like Waugh and Maxwell at the helm, the league aims to establish a lasting presence in Europe's sporting landscape.
