Gayle interested to own an ISL team

After the smash-hitter Jamaican Chris Gayle announced his undisclosed investment into Indian Gaming Company, IONA entertainment, the West Indian opener has shown interest in Indian Super League.

During the event for IONA entertainment, the player while talking to the reporters expressed his interest in owning an ISL-type team. He also told that 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,” PTI quoted Gayle as saying.

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 own 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.

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 marquee 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.

Which team can see the cricketer on a football field or what sport can Gayle probably put his money on, we will have to see until the final decision is announced by the marquee player.