Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 The company has transformed from a mere sports tournament to a global financial giant, recently surpassing a valuation milestone that has sent the sports world into shock. As the league cements its position as the second most valuable sporting asset globally per match, the off-field drama is proving to be just as explosive as the action on the pitch. The latest season has been defined not just by centuries and wickets, but by a high-stakes digital controversy involving one of the league’s ‘founding fathers’ and one of its most prominent current owners.
The fuse was lit following the historic sale of the league’s two legacy franchises: the Rajasthan Royals (RR) And Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The numbers involved are staggering. RR, which was originally bought for around ₹270 crore in 2008, has recently been valued at over ₹15,000 crore. RCB also followed suit and the valuation increased from ₹485 crore at the time of its inception to ₹16,600 crore.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) Owner Sanjeev Goenka Social media was taken to celebrate these figures and held the current regime responsible for this rapid increase. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Goenka particularly praised ‘the architecture of the IPL’ and ‘Jay Shah’s vision’, and credited the structure of the digital and broadcast rights for giving investors the confidence to invest billions in the ecosystem. While the tweet seemed like a standard congratulatory note on the health of the league, it acted as a lightning rod for the man who claims to have the original blueprint of the IPL.
1/ @RajasthanRoyalsAcquired in 2008 for about ₹270 crore, now sold for over ₹15,000 crore. @RCBTweetsAcquired for approximately ₹485 crore, sold for over ₹16,600 crore. Two franchises in the same week, each worth over ₹15,000 crore.
That value was created by architecture…
– Dr. Sanjiv Goenka (@DrSanjivGoenka) 25 March 2026
Also read: Aakash Chopra predicts the probable playing XI of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for IPL 2026
‘Clown’ comment stirs controversy as Lalit Modi targets LSG owner
response from Lalit ModiThe former IPL commissioner, currently living in London, was sharp and characterless. Modi, who played a key role in launching the IPL in 2008 before his controversial departure, took direct aim at Goenka’s historical perspective or lack thereof.
Responding sharply, Modi branded Goenka a ‘clown’ and suggested the billionaire was suffering from memory loss about who actually conceived the IPL model. Modi did not stop at professional criticisms; He made it personal by comparing Sanjeev with his brother, Harsh GoenkaDescribing himself as a true cricket fan, he said that he wanted to own the franchise.
Modi’s anger underlines the long-standing tensions between the League’s old leaders and its current leadership. By claiming Goenka has zero knowledge and a swollen head, Modi is essentially fighting for his legacy, claiming that the current multi-billion dollar valuation is a result of the foundation laid by him nearly two decades ago, rather than the efforts of the current BCCI administrators.
The controversy has divided fans and analysts alike. While many acknowledge that the current BCCI team has done an incredible job in taking the league to a valuation of ₹16,000 crore, others feel that Modi’s fundamental role in the IPL architecture is often unfairly omitted from the official narrative. As the IPL 2026 season begins, this war of words serves as a reminder that in the elite world of cricket, egos are often as big as the bank balance.
In fact, this man has lost his memory as to who conceived the model. It’s okay. He just lives in his own world. We all know this 🤣🤣🤣 @DrSanjivGoenka is a 🤡
i wish it was his brother @hvgoenka Who was the owner of IPL franchise? He is a true cricket fan. It’s not the Joker – who would think… https://t.co/m8eBdAOHHX– Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) 26 March 2026
Also read: Yograj Singh criticizes Ravichandran Ashwin over comments on Arjun Tendulkar ahead of IPL 2026
