Yorkshire hire ex-Saracens financial officer who left after salary-cap scandal

Mitesh Velani, who left Saracens as part of the fallout from their salary-cap scandal, has been appointed as Yorkshire’s new chief financial and operations officer.

Velani is set to join the club in September while Sanjay Patel, the former chief commercial officer for the England & Wales Cricket Board and managing director of the Hundred, is joining Yorkshire as interim chief executive. Patel is replacing outgoing chief executive officer Stephen Vaughan.

“Together as an organisation, we will do the best we can for the members and supporters aiming to move forward in all areas,” Patel said. “I look forward to meeting members, supporters and people associated with the club over the next couple of months.”

Velani was previously finance director at Saracens, from 2010-17, and then chief executive from 2017-20. The club were docked 35 points in 2019, and fined over £5 million, for breaching the Premiership’s salary cap in three consecutive seasons from 2016 to 2019, which ultimately led to their relegation.

Since leaving Saracens, Mitesh has launched property development company Treasure Assets and worked in a series of sports advisory roles.

“It’s truly an honour to take up this position with Yorkshire County Cricket Club and there are so many opportunities we can grasp and areas we can work on that will help the club continue to grow,” Velani said in a statement by Yorkshire announcing his appointment.

“Throughout my career, I have sought out the chance to build new skills and develop. I am looking forward to using everything I have learned to help support Yorkshire at this exciting time.

“Working alongside the board I am determined to help deliver success at Headingley and produce exceptional results, underpinned by robust commercial foundations and our vision to make Yorkshire Cricket a place for everyone.”

Yorkshire declined to provide further comment when contacted by Telegraph Sport.