Friday, March 15, 2024

PSL: Learning from the Leagues We Secretly Envy

PSL: We've Got the Anthems, Now How About a Brand Strategy?

Bling Before Business: Is PSL More Focused on Glitz Than Growth?

These are the thoughts while I have been noting down the crowd not taking interest in PSL games being staged in my own city, this is another aspect that The Pakistan Super League (PSL) burst onto the scene with all the subtlety of a fireworks factory explosion. Glittering cricket grounds, Pakistani rockstars galore, and anthems that could wake the dead - the PSL didn't hold back on the razzle-dazzle. But several seasons in, a cynical question lingers: is the PSL more focused on short-term glitz than on building a sustainable brand for the long haul?

We're bombarded with PSL content - highlight reels of six-hitting batsmen and acrobatic catches flood our screens. But where's the strategic marketing that builds a loyal fanbase beyond our borders? Look at the IPL - it's become a global phenomenon, not just a cricket tournament. Their brand extends far beyond the boundary ropes. On the other hand, the PSL feels like a party with a guest list that never seems to grow.

While I was researching on this topic

PSL facing some tough competition! You might've noticed there are a lot of cricket leagues happening all at once. February, which is usually PSL time, is now packed with the Bangladesh Premier League, ILT20, and SAT20. This makes it harder for the PSL to stand out.

On top of that, PSL has some other challenges:

Ramadan: Since Ramadan falls in March this year, some fans might miss matches.
New Zealand Tour: After the PSL, there's a tour by New Zealand's backup players (since their main guys are busy with the IPL).
Champions Trophy Prep: Once that's done, Pakistan needs to get ready for the Champions Trophy in 2025.

But here's the real bummer: Even though it's almost April, cricket fans in Karachi still have to deal with:

Uncomfortable seating: No proper chairs at the National Bank Cricket Stadium (NBCS)!
Long walks: Parking is kilometres away from the stadium!
Tech troubles: Power banks and laptops might not be allowed inside (double-check this though!).

Imagine the difference: We saw how much fun fans had at the recent SAT20 in South Africa. It looked like a party! The PSL needs to find a way to make watching cricket at the stadium more enjoyable.

Plus, the way PSL is broadcasted isn't as flashy as some other leagues (ILT20 and SAT20). The IPL is another level entirely – it's even bigger than the English Premier League for broadcasting!

The bottom line: The PSL is awesome, but it needs to step up its game to keep fans excited and coming back for more!

Where is the ECONOMY of PSL?

In the course of my research on the Indian Premier League (IPL), I discovered that the investors responsible for creating IPL teams have had a significant positive impact on the economy. The same trend has been observed with other T20 leagues, such as the South African T20 (SAT20) and the United Arab Emirates' T20 league (ILT20). I also found that another T20 league, known as the Legends Premier League, is currently being staged in Sri Lanka.

While cricketers have been earning substantial sums of money by signing up for these subsidiary leagues, it is evident that they have been neglecting our very own brand, the HBL PSL. We must consider the potential challenges that may arise as a result of this trend. While the SAT20 has been around for a year or two and the UAE's ILT20 is gradually gaining popularity, we mustn't wait until it is too late to take action.

We must address these concerns as a matter of urgency and take steps to improve our league. Our focus should be on enhancing brand awareness and promoting the HBL PSL to attract the cricketers back to our league. Ultimately, it is our responsibility to ensure that our league remains competitive and that our brand is well-positioned for maximum impact. We must take action in the present to secure our future.

Our own media - our own self-detonated TNT bomb

Do you ever feel like the news is always talking about the same things over and over again? Recently, in Pakistan, there has been a lot of focus on whether Usman Khan will be chosen for the T20 World Cup team 🏏. This news is exciting, but other important issues need to be discussed.

News outlets give people what they want to see, but we, as viewers, can decide what we want to watch 📺. If we only show interest in player selection drama, then that is all we will get. It's time for us to take responsibility and demand more from the news.

Wouldn't it be great to hear stories about young athletes breaking records or teams overcoming great challenges 🏆? By switching the channel, we can change what we see in the news 🔄. The choice is ours.