The Economic Impact: How IPL Is Shaping BCCI's Finances

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Nitin Konde, Apoorva Bajj

Mar 25, 2024 — 4 min read

How IPL Is Churning BCCI's Economy

Since its start, the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), an idea of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has captivated spectators. The value of the Indian Premier League (IPL), one of the world's most popular sports competitions, increased by nearly 28 percent to a staggering $10.7 billion in 2023, up from $8.4 billion the previous year. According to a press release from Brand Finance, the top brand valuation consultant in the world, the overall brand value of the IPL system has increased by 433% since its introduction in 2008. A company is considered a decacorn if its valuation is greater than $10 billion.

Based on these numbers, it's easy to see that the Indian Premier League is more than simply a cricket event for the BCCI; it's a yearly moneymaker that helps turn the board into one of the wealthiest in the world. The fact that hardly a single nation plays a single tournament, bilateral series, test, or one-day international series during the two months that the IPL is running is evidence enough of the tournament's thunderous influence.

Talking about the economics of the tournament and how it has been finically fueling the board over the years, it's true that the League has increased tourism in India. Travellers from all over the globe go to India for the Indian Premier League season because of the event, which captivates cricket fans everywhere. Fans from around the world flock to India to see the matches in person, boosting the country's tourist industry as they reserve plane tickets, hotels, and taxis. Fans are encouraged to explore other locations, partake in local experiences, and visit tourist attractions as the IPL matches are scattered throughout several cities inside India. Hotel rooms are in high demand during the matches due to the large number of fans, players, and media workers that need to stay somewhere. In sum, the Indian Premier League is a powerful marketing tool for tourism, drawing attention to India as a dynamic cricketing and vacation spot.

Effects on a Large Scale
Promotional and Corporate Events

Effects on a Large Scale

In terms of macro factors, the KPMG survey emphasised the importance of IPL's impact on India's GDP. The study also notes that these months are very busy for hiring, thus there is a significant increase in job opportunities. The need for club-specific cheerleaders, coaches, stadium staff, security, medical teams, etc., is high. Basically, it creates a tonne of job openings in all sorts of industries.

The study also highlighted the positive impact of media exposure on tier-2 cities. Due to the widespread nature of the Indian Premier League cricket matches, they receive extensive media coverage. Thanks to the increased visibility of the IPL in the media, Tier-2 cities are putting more money into their infrastructure and development projects, and they are also seeing an uptick in tourists, which means more money in their pockets.

More tax contributions meant more money for the government, and more money for the BCCI thanks to the IPL. Taxes totaling around 3,500 crore Indian rupees have been paid by BCCI from the 2007–2008 fiscal year. The BCCI did not have to pay taxes because it was a charity until the IPL. Nevertheless, the Income Tax department classified the IPL as a commercial operation following its launch, and the BCCI has been subject to annual taxes totaling Rs 350 crore ever since.

Most Expensive Player in IPL from 2014 to 2023

Promotional and Corporate Events

Advertising and sponsorship opportunities are abundantly available through the Indian Premier League. The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a sought-after venue for advertisers to connect with a large demographic and forge lasting connections with consumers because to its devoted fan base and enormous viewership. Additionally, it provides opportunities for brands to become the tournament's title sponsor. "The (Brand name) Indian Premier League" is one example of an official name that prominently features the brand name of the title sponsor. Any company can become an official sponsor of an Indian Premier League team. All sorts of team gear, including jerseys and helmets, feature the insignia of these sponsors. Advertising and sponsorship opportunities provided by the IPL help generate a lot of money for the league and give firms a great platform to sell themselves.

Finally, the Indian Premier League is largely responsible for the uptick in the country's GDP. The IPL has boosted tourism and contributed to economic prosperity in many areas thanks to its capacity to draw in viewers from all over the world. Local economies have been greatly influenced by the league's capacity to create job opportunities, back small businesses, and encourage the construction of infrastructure. The importance of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in establishing India as a premier cricketing destination and fostering brand loyalty is immeasurable. With its game-changing impact on cricket, the IPL has won over fans all over the globe and grown into a significant contributor to India's GDP. With the tournament's current level of success, its impact on the Indian market is only going to grow in the years to come.