How Steve O’Keefe Became The First Bloke To Lose Money Playing In The IPL

The richest and most lucrative cricket competition in the world? Not if your name’s Steve O’Keefe.

O’Keefe joined Willow Talk with Brad Haddin and Adam Peacock and told the two the incredible story of becoming the only player in the history of the Indian Premier League to lose money.

STEVE O’KEEFE’S IPL STORY:

The IPL frequently splurges on the game’s stars, such as Cameron Green. He became an instant multi-millionaire in December when the Mumbai Indians picked him up for a lazy $3.15 million.

On the other side of the coin a decade ago was Steve O’Keefe.

“I’ll tell you my IPL story,” he said.

“I actually went over to the IPL and lost money.”

So O’Keefe told Adam and Hadds what happened, because both of them figured losing money in that competition was impossible.

The answer left them in hysterics.

“In 2012, (I) went over with the Kochi Tuskers on the hefty sum of US$20,000 – didn’t play a game,” he recalled.

“The team folded after the first season and I only got paid 30 per cent of my cash, which was $6,000.

“My room bill was $7,500 because I decided to tip the bar on the last night – got the zeros confused with the rupees.

“So I actually went over to the IPL and lost money. I might be the first to ever do it.”

Kochi Tuskers Kerala dissolved after just two seasons in the league, with six wins from their 14 matches. The BCCI expelled the franchise for failing to make payments after disputes among their team owners.

It’s a far cry from O’Keefe’s other feats in India, which include career best figures of 12/70 in a Test win in 2017.

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