Indian Premier League side Kings XI Punjab co-Owner Preity Zinta has "stepped beyond the IPL bailiwick" and bought a local cricketing eleven in the South African league for $30M, "signaling Indian dominance in the ownership of teams that feature in the T-20 tournament," according to Gaurav Laghate of the ECONOMIC TIMES. Zinta said, "We have bought the team from Cricket South Africa for $30 million. Numbers seem to be working so let's cross our fingers." Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan owns IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders and GMR Sports (owner of Delhi Daredevils) owns Cape Town and Johannesburg franchises, respectively, in the upcoming league. Zinta said, "I learned a lot about cricket, business and life in the IPL and cannot equate the experience to any equity or words. This can be a wonderful opportunity to look for talent in another continent and take our brand global." On June 20, when franchise owners were first announced, Brimstone Investment Corp. co-Founder Mustaq Enus-Brey was named owner of Stellenbosch Monarchs. However, Brimstone Investment could not get permission from the company board and "had to let go of the franchise." Cricket South Africa CEO Haroon Lorgat said that Zinta requested to get a local partner for her franchise. Lorgat: "Right now, she owns the team completely, but is keen on getting a local partner for the team. CSA has allowed her to do that" (ECONOMIC TIMES, 9/9).
