Bollywood superstar and sports entrepreneur John Abraham has become a co-owner of the Rotterdam Dockers, one of the six franchise teams competing in the inaugural season of the European T20 Premier League (ETPL). The tournament is scheduled to run from August 26 to September 20.
Ownership group includes cricketing greats
Abraham joins a star-studded ownership and leadership group that includes cricketing legends Jonty Rhodes, Faf du Plessis, and Heinrich Klaasen, alongside Managing Partner Madhukar Shree. The group is preparing the Rotterdam Dockers to make their mark in what is described as an iconic moment for European cricket, according to a release.
ETPL format and teams
The ETPL will bring together six city-based franchises representing Glasgow, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Dublin, Belfast, and Rotterdam. The competition will feature 32 matches and is designed to provide a world-class platform for emerging European talent to compete alongside some of the biggest names in international cricket. The league aims to accelerate the growth and development of the game across Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands.
Abraham's vision for cricket in Europe
Speaking about his involvement, John Abraham said, "Cricket has the power to inspire, unite and create opportunities, and that's exactly what excites me about the European T20 Premier League. Europe represents one of cricket's most exciting growth markets, and Rotterdam Dockers has the vision, leadership and ambition to build something truly special. I'm delighted to join this journey and contribute towards creating a platform that helps uncover and nurture the next generation of cricketing talent."
ETPL co-founder welcomes Abraham
Abhishek Bachchan, Co-Founder of ETPL, welcomed Abraham to the league, stating, "John's passion for sport and his track record as a sports entrepreneur make him a fantastic addition to the Rotterdam Dockers' ownership group. His involvement reflects the growing belief in the potential of cricket across Europe and aligns perfectly with our vision of building a league that creates opportunities and accelerates the growth of the game. We are delighted to welcome him to the ETPL family."
Other cricket legends involved
The ETPL franchise ownership group also includes other respected names such as Steve Waugh, Rahul Dravid, Matthew Hayden, and others. Their association reflects the league's ambition to combine sporting excellence with meaningful local engagement while establishing a new benchmark for franchise cricket in Europe.
