By The Indian Premier League (IPL) is considered the most valuable league in the world due to its rapid growth in brand value, surpassing other prominent sports leagues globally. The IPL’s brand value has surged by 433% since its launch in 2008, reaching a valuation of $10.7 billion in 2023. This growth is attributed to various factors, including:
- Increased viewership and media rights: The IPL has expanded its reach through regional channels, engaging more viewers and increasing its media rights value
- Strong governance and management: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been credited with good governance, ensuring the
tournament’s continuation during the Covid-19 pandemic and maintaining clear visibility of team funding - Innovative engagement strategies: The IPL has been successful in engaging fans, clubs, and sponsors through various means, including the introduction of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and the impact player rule, which have contributed to its brand value growth
- Rise in team valuations: The average value of IPL teams has grown significantly, with the most valuable team, the Mumbai Indians, valued at $1.3 billion1. This growth is driven by increased revenue from central sponsorship, NFT deals, video games, licensing, and merchandising1.
- Global recognition and partnerships: The IPL has become a platform for launching new products and initiatives, reaching a large audience base in India. Partnerships like Aramco’s sponsorship have improved brand perceptions among cricket fans. The IPL’s success can be seen in its ability to attract sponsors and media rights, with its most valuable franchise, the Mumbai Indians, worth more than six MLB teams, 27 NHL teams, and every MLS team1. The league’s brand value growth rate of 24% over 13 years outpaces that of the NFL (10%) and the NBA (16%)
