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IPL Governing Council Chairman Arun Singh Dhumal talked about the remarkable financial growth of the tournament. Dhubman said the IPL has become the richest cricket league in the world due to its fan following, strong commercial value and unprecedented growth in global media rights since its inception.
The current IPL media rights cycle (2023-2027) is valued at Rs 48,390 crore after television and digital rights are sold separately. The league’s financial growth has been remarkable, with media rights increasing from Rs 8,200 crore during 2008-2017 to Rs 16,347 crore in the 2018-2022 cycle.
I am sure that this journey will continue – Arun Dhumal
During a recent interview with TimesofIndia.com, Arun Dhumal said that the value of IPL media rights has increased over the last 18 years. He said the league has seen significant financial growth and he is confident that trend will continue.
“If you look at the kind of rapid growth we have seen in IPL media rights since the beginning, it is unprecedented. We started with around Rs 8,200 crore for 10 years (2008-17). In the next five-year cycle (2018-22), the rights were sold for Rs 16,347 crore. And in the current cycle (2023-27), IPL media rights were sold for Rs 48,390 crore. Sold in five years,” Dhumal said.
He said, “I am confident that given the kind of connect we have had with the fans and the attraction that this tournament has generated so far, the same trend will continue. You may have also seen two recent deals involving Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore, which are currently in the process.”
No other business would have given 20x returns – Arun Dhumal
The IPL chairman said no other major sports property has delivered such strong returns in such a short period of time. He attributed the success of the league to India’s passion for cricket and the highly competitive nature of IPL matches, which keeps fans engaged throughout the tournament.
He said, “There is no other property, especially a sports property, that has generated such returns in such a short period of time. It took decades for the National Football League (NFL) to become what it is today. Over these last 18 years, the kind of returns on investment that the IPL has generated is unprecedented.”
“No other business would have given 20x returns over a period of about 18 years. India is also a unique country. Cricket is a game and a religion that binds the entire country together. And the USP of the IPL, in my opinion, is the quality of the games it produces. So many matches go down to the wire and, in a 3.5-hour game, every ball becomes an event. Given such traction, I am fully hopeful that we will see a lot more in the upcoming media rights cycle. Will earn adequate value.”
Under the current broadcast agreement, Disney Star holds the television rights, while Viacom18 holds the digital streaming rights. The individual sales of these packages helped push the overall media rights value to record levels.
That platform has been provided by IPL – Arun Dhumal
Arun Dhumal also highlighted the role of IPL in developing cricket talent in India. He said the league has given players the necessary platform and opportunities to grow, helping India build enough depth to field multiple competitive teams in different international series at the same time.
He said, “The talent in India has always been there, but the question was how to provide opportunities to the players. That platform has been provided by the IPL. Even if we have to field three different teams for three bilateral series simultaneously, India will still be competitive. That depth is there because of the IPL. I would also like to appreciate all our franchise partners for their contribution over the last 18-19 years.”