The NBL, unveiled last month by Badminton England, will feature six franchised teams who will compete on a monthly basis in matches streamed live on television, in Britain and elsewhere in the world.

Among the players up for sale will be the world ranked number five husband-and-wife duo Chris and Gabby Adcock, as well as Rajiv Ouseph, the men's singles silver medallist at the European Championships in Kazan last month. 

The six teams will consist of the Birmingham Lions, Team Derby, Loughborough Sport, University of Nottingham Badminton, Surrey Smashers and Milton Keynes.

Each team will feature eight players, with the player auction taking place at Stadium:MK and due to follow a similar pattern to the Indian Badminton League first held last year.

"Excitement is building ahead of the player auction when the teams will start to take shape and we can begin to look forward to the NBL starting in October," said Badminton England chief executive Adrian Christy.

"The NBL has captured interest from all over the world and I believe it will be a real game-changer for the sport in this country.

"It will showcase the talent that we have, inspire younger players in a thrilling new format, and bring world class badminton to a live and television audience more frequently."

European silver medal winner Rajiv Ouseph will be among the players up for auction
©Getty Images



The first season is due to start on October 6 and conclude on April 2015.

It will then conclude with a single day knock-out competition featuring the top four teams, taking place in June 2015.

Nathan Robertson, winner of Britain's last Olympic badminton medal along with partner Gail Emms in the mixed doubles at Athens 2004, is an ambassador for the inaugural event.

"The player auction gives teams the opportunity to really go after the players they want to win the NBL and it will be fascinating to see how it all pans out," Robertson said.

"I know the players are looking forward to playing in the NBL every month live on television and I'm confident it will attract a whole new audience to the sport."

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