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Tag: ETPL

  • Rules X ropes in sports tech maven Laila Mintas to turbocharge Europe cricket league’s vision

    Rules X ropes in sports tech maven Laila Mintas to turbocharge Europe cricket league’s vision

    DUBLIN:  Irish sports innovation outfit Rules X, operating partner of the upcoming European T20 Premier League (ETPL), has brought on board sports tech powerhouse Laila Mintas, signalling a bold push to redefine cricket’s future through technology, fan engagement, and strategic disruption.

    From leading Fifa’s anti-match-fixing initiatives and launching Concacaf’s first Sports Integrity Unit, to scaling Sportradar US to over 85 per cent market share and selling Bet.Works for $125 million, Mintas has worn many hats over her 20 years in the global sports betting and the iGaming space.  A Berlin-trained lawyer with a PhD that triggered reforms in Germany’s betting laws, she has also served as CEO of PlayUp USA and PlayEngine, where she oversaw product innovation, AI deployment, and investor relations. Her deep expertise across sports integrity, AI-led fan experience, and regulatory reform positions her as a key catalyst in Rules X’s mission to shape ETPL into a high-octane, tech-forward cricket league for the modern fan.

    She currently sits as non-executive director at UK-based SIS Ltd and leads her consultancy, Dr Mintas Consulting. A multi-award-winning leader, she’s been named one of the most influential figures in sports betting by SBJ, Business Insider, and Global Gaming Business.

    “Cricket is experiencing phenomenal global growth, and the European T20 Premier League, under Rules X, represents a monumental opportunity to transform the fan experience through cutting-edge innovation, technology and strategic partnerships,” exclaimed Mintas. “I am incredibly thrilled to join the Board at this pivotal moment, contributing to a league that truly embraces the future of sports.”

    ETPL Co-owner Priyanka Kaul echoed the sentiment, stating, “We are making conscious efforts to create a differentiated product with the ETPL—one that’s sustainable, exciting, and drives the sport forward. Welcoming a seasoned global leader like  Mintas to our board reinforces our commitment to excellence and innovation. Her global perspective and track record in sports innovation will be invaluable as we shape the future of cricket in Europe and beyond.” 

    The ETPL — featuring both men’s and women’s leagues — is set to bowl its first over in 2026, with matches across iconic European venues. Backed by Rules X, the league aims to be more than just another tournament — a fusion of entertainment, tech and cricketing excellence. 

    The league is being pitched as  Europe’s next big cricket export — and with Mintas on board, it’s stepping up to bat with serious firepower.

  • European T20 Premier League gets ICC nod

    European T20 Premier League gets ICC nod

    MUMBAI: There’s one more international T20 cricket league coming the way of fans of the willow. And it’s coming from where else, Europe, the one bunch of cricket playing nations,  that had been left out of the action. so far. 

    Called the European T20 Premier League  (ETPL) it is to be held from 15 July to 3 August 2025. The league got the sanction from cricket’s global ruling body the International Cricket Council on 4 January.

    The ETPL is a privately-owned franchise tournament with a unique twist – it is a partnership between three cricket nations – Ireland (Cricket Ireland), Scotland  (Cricket Scotland) and the Netherlands (Koninklijke Nederlandse Cricket Bond – KNCB). This collaborative approach gives the ETPL  a true European feel and will feature the best talent from those three nations playing alongside some of the best talent from around the world.

    The three cricketing boards  had tried to put together a tournament called the Euro T20 Slam in March 2019 but it had failed to take off. Not even one season was held. Hence, the trio are being a lot more careful now. They have put together an interim working group with a representative from each of them, strategic partner Rules Sport Tech, on behalf of the funding partners,  to guide decision making and oversee the  creation of a new administrative body to run the event. Cricket Ireland  chief executive Warren Deutrom has been elected chair of the interim working group. 

    Said  Deutrom:  “We are delighted to confirm the ICC sanction of the ETPL and agreements are now in place across the joint venture partners. This is an important day in the development of the event, as it effectively fires the starting pistol on work around three important areas – franchise ownership, broadcast and the player draft. These are exciting times for cricket in Europe, and for local cricket fans, as we showcase some of the best cricket talent from Europe and around the world.”

    A formal launch of the tournament and further details will be provided in due course, he added.