London: The European T20 Premier League (ETPL) has announced key leadership appointments as it accelerates its journey to become cricket’s next global powerhouse.
In a significant move, Brian MacNeice, Chair of Cricket Ireland, has been appointed Chair of the ETPL Board. Andrew May, CFO of Cricket Ireland, will continue as a Board Director and core member of the ETPL founding team, reinforcing the strong partnership between Cricket Ireland and the league.
Further strengthening its leadership, Warren Deutrom, former CEO of Cricket Ireland, has joined the ETPL full-time as Director, ETPL and Chair of Rules X, the parent company of the league. Widely respected as one of the foremost administrators in world cricket, Deutrom was instrumental in Ireland achieving ICC Full Member status and establishing itself as a global cricketing force. His appointment brings both vision and credibility to the ETPL’s leadership.
Brian MacNeice said, “The European T20 Premier League marks an exciting new chapter for the game in Europe. It carries the potential not only to inspire a new generation of players and fans, but also to firmly establish Europe as a vibrant and credible cricketing destination. At Cricket Ireland, we are delighted to be a founding partner in this journey, and we look forward to working closely with the ETPL leadership team to deliver a league built on the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and governance.”
Warren Deutrom, on his new role, added, “I am delighted to be given this exciting opportunity to remain involved in European cricket, and to help bring this longstanding vision to reality. Strong indicators such as Italy’s recent qualification for next year’s men’s T20 World Cup, the positive impact of the Olympics for cricket’s recognition on the continent, and ICC’s digital data prove that European cricket is on a growth journey. We believe that the ETPL can play a vital role in galvanising the world’s 2nd biggest sport in the world’s 2nd biggest sports market by establishing a world-class professional T20 league that can attract top players, partners and, ultimately, fans. I can’t wait to work alongside such an exceptional team to make this vision a reality.”
Founded by Abhishek Bachchan (actor and sports entrepreneur), Priyanka Kaul (media and business strategist), Saurav Banerjee (media and investment leader), and Dhiraj Malhotra (former CEO of Delhi Capitals and ex-GM of the BCCI), the ETPL has been built on the foundations of strong governance, professionalism, and strategic expertise.
The league has already generated significant interest across cricket and investment circles. With Oakvale Capital named as investment banker and KPMG India as strategic advisor, coupled with Abhishek Bachchan’s celebrity appeal and the founders’ credentials, the ETPL is rapidly emerging as one of the most sought-after new T20 properties on the global stage.
