The highly anticipated Season 2 of the Grand Prix Badminton League (GPBL 2023) is set to captivate badminton enthusiasts as the League unveiled its team and player auction plans. Building upon the success of its inaugural season, GPBL Season 2 will see players from across 25 countries including hosts India take part.
Speaking about the upcoming season, Prashanth Reddy, League Commissioner said, “With the objective of expanding the league’s reach, GPBL Season 2 will feature a total of 10 teams as against eight in the first season. With the overwhelming response from players and the addition of two new teams, we are confident of yet another successful season.”
The auction to be held on June 10 will feature bids for the Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kerala, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Lucknow and Orissa teams. This unique opportunity will enable prospective team owners to acquire franchises and compete in the premium badminton league.
“The league aims to provide a platform for both domestic and international talent to not only showcase their skills but give them an opportunity to earn substantial money to fund their training and other expenses,” said Prashanth.
Meanwhile, the player auction is scheduled to take place on July 22. There has been an overwhelming response from players – both Indian and international alike as over 350 Indian players and 52 international players have thrown their names into the hat, hoping to secure a spot in one of the 10 teams. Approximately 150 players from among 400-odd players will be shortlisted for the players’ auction. Current India No.1 and Senior National Champion Mithun Manjunath and Sai Praneeth, both ranked under the top 50 in BWF world rankings head the list of Indian players who have signed up for the auction.
The total player purse for each of the teams is set at Rs 30 lakh. The teams participating in the league will have the flexibility to select players from four distinct tiers, each with its own price point, ensuring that the teams can build a competitive roster while managing their budget effectively.
In a first-of-its-kind, a minimum guarantee of Rs 25,000 will be provided to those players who remain unsold. The GPBL Season 2 will be held in August in Bengaluru.
