More than 10 companies have bought the Invitation To Tender document for the two new Indian Premier League franchises to replace the suspended Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals for the next two seasons. The two successful owners "will be identified in a walk-in bid" on Dec. 9. It was understood that Chennai-based companies Chettinad Group and ITW, media entrepreneur Ronnie Screwvala's Unilazer, consumer electronics major Videocon, Group M, Intex Mobile, snack manufacturer Haldiram, and Yes Bank "were among the companies that purchased the bid document before the tender process ended on Monday." RPG Group Chair Harsh Goenka and his brother Sanjiv, chair of the RP-Sanjiv Goenka group, have also procured the document. A Board of Control for Cricket in India official said that the response seemed positive. The official said, "Ten-twelve bids is quite a lot. Obviously there is a high-level of interest in the document, but who knows how many of these companies will actually translate this into a specific bid" (ESPN CRICINFO, 11/30). ... League Championship side Wolverhampton Owner Steve Morgan will sell the club if he receives a bid between £30M ($45.2M) and £40M ($60.3M). The Molineux chief would "give the green light" for an offer closer to £40M plus an agreement for "significant investment into the club to improve and maintain Wolves and protect his legacy." The process "is ongoing and it is understood Wolves are in talks with several interested parties" (PA, 12/1). ... League Championship side Bolton Wanderers players were scheduled to "hold an emergency meeting with the Professional Footballers’ Association" on Tuesday after it emerged that they "had not received their wages for November amid growing financial problems." PFA CEO Gordon Taylor, a former Bolton player, has promised to help as the club faces "serious difficulties." He said, "It is important to try to secure the future of the football club" (LONDON TIMES, 12/1).
