Weeklong IPL suspension to cost BCCI up to Rs13.81bn

LAHORE: The Indian Premier League (IPL), which boasts a brand value of over US$16 billion (equivalent to Pakistani Rs4.5 trillion), is bound to suffer a financial hit ranging between Indian Rs3bn (Pak Rs 9.87bn) and Rs4.20bn (PakRs 13.81bn), if only five to seven matches are missed during this one-week break, an renowned media house “Mint” has claimed in one of its recent reports.

The “Mint,” an Indian business and financial daily newspaper published by the Delhi-based Hindustan Times Media Group and controlled by the affluent K. K. Birla family, added that if the pause gets extended or the whole season is cancelled, the losses for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) could be even bigger!

The $16bn IPL brand value has been calculated by “Outlook Business,” a business fortnightly that covers interesting entrepreneurial ventures, strategies of established companies and key trends driving the markets. The “Outlook Business” is owned by the Rajan Raheja Group, which is worth $3.7bn, according to the globally acclaimed Forbes magazine.

The IPL, whose impressive valuation is a result of the league’s popularity, media rights deals, franchise investments and global sponsorships, was paused a few days ago because of the rising Pak-India tensions. Having seen its value doubled in just six years, IPL earns money from TV deals, ticket sales, sponsors, and food stalls, but it now bracing for an astounding financial hit for sure.

The “Mint” asserted: “According to reports, each cancelled match can cost the Board of Control for Cricket in India around Indian Rs one billion (Pakistani Rs 3.29bn) to 1.25bn (Pak Rs 4.11bn). Even with the help of insurance, they can lose about Indian Rs60 crore (Pak Rs 1.97bn) per game. Big sponsors like “TATA” and broadcasters like “JioHotstar” are okay with the break for now, but they might get worried if it lasts longer. The broadcasters could lose part of their ad money worth as much as Indian Rs 5,500crore (Pakistani Rs 18.09bn). The Indian media outlet maintained: “The 10 IPL’s teams will also feel the pain. They get a share of the BCCI’s TV and sponsor money, called the central revenue pool. If the IPL stops, this money will decrease. Teams with big fan bases like Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who had two big home games left in Bengaluru, are missing out on ticket and merchandise sales. Before the suspension, IPL 2025 had completed 58 matches.