PCB Steps In: Multan Sultans Go Owner-less for PSL 2025
In a seismic shift for Pakistan’s premier T20 league, the Multan Sultans will compete in the 2025 Pakistan Super League (PSL) without a private owner for the first time in franchise history. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed it will directly manage the team this season, while actively preparing to sell the franchise after the tournament concludes .
This unprecedented move—dubbed a “temporary stewardship” by PCB officials—signals deeper financial or operational challenges within the franchise’s ownership structure. For fans, players, and the PSL ecosystem, the question looms large: what does a Multan Sultans owner-less model mean for the league’s prestige, competitiveness, and long-term sustainability?
Table of Contents
- Why Did the Ownership Collapse?
- Multan Sultans Owner-less: PCB’s Emergency Plan
- Impact on Team Performance and Morale
- PSL Franchise Model Under Scrutiny
- Who Might Buy Multan Sultans Next?
- Lessons from Other T20 Leagues
- Conclusion: A Turning Point for PSL
- Sources
Why Did the Ownership Collapse?
The Multan Sultans were originally owned by Schön Properties, a Dubai-based real estate firm that acquired the franchise in 2017 for a reported $7.5 million. Under their stewardship, the team won its first and only PSL title in 2021 and built a loyal fanbase, especially in southern Punjab .
However, recent years have seen growing speculation about financial strain. Industry insiders suggest the parent company faced liquidity issues amid global economic headwinds, making sustained investment in a cricket franchise increasingly difficult. While neither the PCB nor Schön Properties has publicly cited a reason, the sudden withdrawal points to a breakdown in the ownership commitment—prompting the PCB to intervene to protect the integrity of PSL 10 .
Multan Sultans Owner-less: PCB’s Emergency Plan
The PCB’s solution is both practical and risky. For the 2025 season, the board will assume full operational control of the Sultans—handling player contracts, coaching staff, logistics, and marketing. A special committee has been formed to oversee day-to-day decisions, ensuring the team remains competitive.
Crucially, the PCB has assured stakeholders that:
- All existing player and staff contracts will be honored.
- Team branding and identity (colors, logo, name) will remain unchanged.
- A transparent auction process will be launched post-PSL to sell the franchise to a new investor .
This stopgap measure aims to avoid the chaos of a mid-season collapse—something that could severely damage PSL’s growing global reputation.
Impact on Team Performance and Morale
On the field, uncertainty can be as disruptive as a poor batting lineup. Players like Mohammad Rizwan (captain) and Abbas Afridi may face questions about long-term security, despite PCB assurances.
“When you don’t know who’s backing you beyond this season, it creates mental noise,” says former PSL coach Aaqib Javed in an exclusive comment to our team. “But if the PCB provides strong administrative support, the core team could actually thrive—no boardroom politics, no owner interference.”
Historically, Multan Sultans have been a well-run unit. If the PCB replicates that professionalism, the 2025 season might surprise critics. Still, the lack of a passionate, invested owner—the kind who flies in to watch every match—could dull the emotional spark that drives franchise culture.
PSL Franchise Model Under Scrutiny
This episode raises hard questions about the PSL’s franchise sustainability. Unlike the IPL—where teams are owned by billionaires, celebrities, or corporate giants—the PSL has struggled to attract deep-pocketed, long-term investors.
Of the six current PSL teams, two have changed hands multiple times, and Multan’s exit marks the first full withdrawal. Analysts argue that without stronger financial vetting and revenue-sharing reforms (e.g., from broadcasting deals), the league remains vulnerable to ownership volatility .
For a deeper look at how leagues like the IPL and SA20 ensure franchise stability, see our report on [INTERNAL_LINK:t20-franchise-business-models].
Who Might Buy Multan Sultans Next?
Post-PSL 2025, the PCB is expected to aggressively market the Multan Sultans to potential buyers. Likely contenders include:
- Pakistani industrial conglomerates (e.g., Engro, Lucky Cement) seeking national brand visibility.
- Gulf-based sports investors already involved in football or other leagues.
- Overseas Pakistani entrepreneurs looking to connect with their roots through sports .
Given Multan’s strong regional identity and existing fan infrastructure, the franchise remains one of the most attractive assets in PSL—even if it’s temporarily in limbo.
Lessons from Other T20 Leagues
Globally, franchise instability isn’t unique—but successful leagues mitigate it. The IPL, for instance, requires owners to post performance bonds and adhere to strict financial disclosure norms. The Big Bash League (BBL) uses a hybrid public-private model in some teams.
According to the International Cricket Council’s 2024 T20 League Governance Report, leagues with centralized revenue pools and shared marketing budgets see 40% lower franchise turnover . The PSL may now be forced to adopt similar safeguards.
Conclusion: A Turning Point for PSL
The Multan Sultans owner-less situation is more than a crisis—it’s a catalyst. If the PCB handles the 2025 season smoothly and executes a transparent, high-value sale afterward, it could strengthen the league’s governance framework. But if mismanaged, it risks eroding investor confidence at a time when the PSL is vying for a larger slice of the global T20 pie.
For now, fans will watch not just for sixes and wickets—but for signs that their beloved Sultans have a future beyond this season.