Desert Vipers are likely to exit the ILT20, the UAE-based franchise T20 league. Owned by Lancer Capital which is promoted by Avram Glazer, the Vipers are understood to have conveyed their decision to leave the six-team league to the organisers a couple of days ago. Ironically enough, they are the defending champions, having won Season 4 in January this year. The separation, which neither party has yet confirmed, is understood to stem from differences over the franchise fee and issues involving the business model. It is learnt that there was a dispute between the organisers and the franchise a couple of years ago, but the two sides gave themselves time to resolve their differences. The hatchet, however, does not appear to have been buried two years later. It is understood that US-based Paul Voigt, a key associate of Glazer, recently wrote to the organisers conveying the management's intention to exit. Voigt is also believed to have spoken to the owners of the other five franchises, informing them of the decision. A text message sent to Voigt did not elicit an immediate response. We were unable to obtain a response from the organizers of the ILT20 immediately. With players already signed and the coaching staff in place, the league must have a sixth team and the organisers will have to make alternative arrangements. Finding a replacement may not be difficult given their agreements with Kuwait Cricket and the Saudi Arabia Cricket Federation. Interestingly, the only franchise with a non-Indian owner is the Vipers. The bigger question is whether there is enough time to bring in a new owner. The league has been planning an expansion, and some of the interested parties could eventually be roped in, but time is a crucial factor for this season, if not going forward. Season 5 starts on November 22. Glazer's first cricket competition was the ILT20. Additionally, he has stakes in an NFL team and Manchester United. The American business tycoon had also been linked with the IPL, with reports suggesting he was interested in buying Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). His interest in acquiring a team in The Hundred in England was also reported. Naturally, the development comes as a surprise. The Vipers had released a press release on Tuesday (July 14) regarding the team's preparations for the Guyana Global Super League, for which they had qualified by winning the ILT20 title. Before the Vipers won the championship in 2026, they finished as runners-up twice. Sam Curran leads the team.