Marking a pivotal development for the upcoming European T20 Premier League (ETPL), the league looks to have strengthened its leadership. Brian MacNeice, the Chair of Cricket Ireland, has been appointed the Chair of the ETPL Board, while Warren Deutrom, former Cricket Ireland CEO, has joined ETPL full-time as Director, ETPL and Chair of Rules X, ETPL’s parent company.
Deutrom, widely recognized as a leading world cricket administrator, helped guide Ireland to ICC Full Member status and establish its influence on the international cricket scene. His new role brings notable expertise and credibility to ETPL’s leadership team. Andrew May, Chief Financial Officer at Cricket Ireland, remains part of the ETPL founding team and will continue to serve as a Board Director.
Speaking on his appointment, Brian MacNeice said, “The European T20 Premier League marks an exciting new chapter for the game in Europe. It carries the potential not only to inspire a new generation of players and fans, but also to firmly establish Europe as a vibrant and credible cricketing destination. At Cricket Ireland, we are delighted to be a founding partner in this journey, and we look forward to working closely with the ETPL leadership team to deliver a league built on the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and governance.”
Warren Deutrom on being appointed as Chair of Rules X, the parent company of the ETPL, “I am delighted to be given this exciting opportunity to remain involved in European cricket, and to help bring this longstanding vision to reality. Strong indicators such as Italy’s recent qualification for next year’s men’s T20 World Cup, the positive impact of the Olympics for cricket’s recognition on the continent, and ICC’s digital data prove that European cricket is on a growth journey. We believe that the ETPL can play a vital role in galvanising the world’s 2nd biggest sport in the world’s 2nd biggest sports market by establishing a world-class professional T20 league that can attract top players, partners and, ultimately, fans. I can’t wait to work alongside such an exceptional team to make this vision a reality.”
These leadership moves further reinforce the close relationship between Cricket Ireland and ETPL, emphasizing the league’s dedication to robust governance and long-term growth.
The ETPL’s origins trace back to founders Abhishek Bachchan (Bollywood icon and sports entrepreneur), Priyanka Kaul (noted media and business strategist), Saurav Banerjee (distinguished media and investment expert), and Dhiraj Malhotra (former Delhi Capitals CEO and ex-general manager of the BCCI). Together, they have laid the groundwork for establishing ETPL as a world-class, professionally managed global league.
The league has quickly garnered recognition in cricket and investment sectors. Abhishek Bachchan’s prominence, combined with the strategic acumen of the founding group and support from major advisors like Oakvale Capital and KPMG India, positions ETPL among the most anticipated new T20 ventures worldwide.
