Chris Gayle shows interest in owning ISL-type team.
Swashbuckling West Indian opener Chris Gayle on Friday showed interest in owning an ISL-type team and said he is in discussions with few stakeholders for some commercial ventures.
"I would definitely love to own an Indian Super League kind of team, but what best one can do is to get involved in it while you are active playing cricket," Gayle told PTI at an event here. Gayle said cricket itself is business and all the stakeholders want to raise money as much as possible. "Business will always come in, once you produce scintillating on-field knocks. People and companies will chase you, but cricket itself is business. Everybody wants to generate as much revenues as possible," he said.
Gayle also said big names like Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly are owing teams post-retirement because they want to foray into the world of business. "If you feel you have enough time to venture into it, so do it even if you are an active and busy player, but if you feel you can't, you can always foray into this venture post- retirement," he said. Tendulkar and Ganguly own Kerala Blasters and Atletico de Kolkata, respectively.
Asked whether he is tying up with any other commercial ventures, Gayle said, "Definitely. There are a few projects under the table which are actually under discussion as we speak." It would be a great gesture from marque players like him to pick up stakes for owning non-cricket teams, Gayle said. "As cricketers, you want to do good things for other sports as well, especially when you are associated with big brands. It is a great gesture, for sure," he said.
Yesterday, Gayle had announced an undisclosed investment in IONA Entertainment, a Bengaluru-based gaming company. IONA, at present, has one 70,000 square-feet gaming venue at Virginia Mall here.
It had raised an initial round of funding from Singapore-based Vestasia. Speaking to reporters, Gayle said he is a family man and loved to be associated with IONA, which is a family-oriented firm with potential to grow into a big business. He also said India is his top priority in terms of investment destinations and wanted to invest as many businesses as possible. Iona, at present, has one 70,000 square-feet gaming venue at Virginia Mall here.
It had raised an initial round of funding from Singapore-based Vestasia.
Replying to a query, CMD at Virginia Mall Company B Ramaswamy said IONA has chalked out a Rs 200-crore expansion plan in the first phase. "Rs 200 crore is just a phase one investment. We need to invest more, and partners coming in like Chris Gayle and Vestasia further strengthens our brand in the quest to become a global player," she said. Asked what percentage of Rs 200 crore has Gayle invested in the venture, Ramaswamy said, "I have two answers for that.
One is Chris Gayle cannot be valued. Two, the brand is young, for we had launched the brand just about a month ago." Ramaswamy said the company is still in talks with Gayle and other stakeholders about business modalities. "Lot of paperwork, valuations among other things needs to be worked out. We will come back on it once all the modalities are finished," she said. IONA Founder Subramanian said the company has big plans and intend to set up gaming zones in different parts of the country and make its presence felt abroad. "We are planning to expand pan-India and by the end of the year, we are looking at having five more centres in India and two abroad," he said.
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 "Bengaluru: Westindies cricketer Chris Gayle poses with the Virtual game characters during a pres conference to announce his part")
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