Kolkata franchise owners to meet with CAB

Top officials from Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan's Red Chillies Entertainment, the IPL's Kolkata franchise, and the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) will meet in the city on Tuesday to break the deadlock on hosting league matches at Eden Gardens, one of the world's biggest cricket venues.

"There is a meeting tomorrow, since all the top officials of the franchise will be present in Kolkata tomorrow. As we see it, all parties involved are looking to sort this out amicably," a representative of Red Chillies told Cricinfo.

The CAB, which holds the lease on Eden Gardens, and Red Chillies had failed to reach an agreement on using the stadium after a dissident section within the local association demanded a larger share of tickets from IPL. The IPL had decided to allot 20% of tickets at every venue for the respective host association and the rest for the franchise, but a section within the CAB demanded more to meet the needs of over 100 affiliated units.

"Besides, you can't compare the situation in the other, smaller IPL venues in India with Eden Gardens, which can hold 90,000 spectators. Here, at 80%, the franchise's share will be much more than that of other franchises at their host venues," said a representative from the opposing faction within the CAB.

The CAB faction initially demanded a 50% share of tickets but is now willing to settle for "anything between 20% and 50%". But the problem is IPL officials and Red Chillies have refused to budge.

Tuesday's talks between the CAB and Red Chillies, on a day when the franchise will unveil its team colours in Kolkata, could lead to a breakthrough.