Barbados: A new franchise-based Twenty20 tournament, the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), has been launched here by organisers Verus International.
The CPL will see each franchise team being built around Caribbean players complemented by a few international stars, said Verus, a merchant bank based in Barbados and New York.
“The realisation of the CPL is another landmark of the investor and commercial confidence which has been placed in the WICB and the brand of West Indies Cricket,” declared West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Julian Hunte.
“The WICB is particularly pleased about the opportunities the CPL will provide to players but is equally elated with the agreement which will allow for regional retainer contracts for a broad pool of players.”
Hunte was among officials present at the launch, including CEO of Verus International Ajmal Khan, WICB CEO Michael Muirhead and a host of legends of the game and cricket officials and administrators.
The CPL will soon be announcing its tournament dates, locations and partners in 2013 as well as launching its website.
