IPL’s phenomenal growth can potentially propel media rights value to USD 50 billion, says league chairman Arun Dhumal

Bengaluru: Arun Dhumal, the Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman, indicated that the league’s success over the last 15 years will potentially drive its media rights value to USD 50 billion in the next two decades.

The IPL media rights have grown from INR 6,000 crore to INR 48000 crore and the tournament is only second to the National Football League (NFL) across all sporting leagues in the world.

Dhumal believes the widespread popularity and success of the league will act as a catalyst in its evolution over the next 10 years.

“If I have to see how it has gone over the last 15 years and if I have to go by estimates going forward, we are expecting media rights to go somewhere close to USD 50 billion by around 2043. Going forward, we need to keep innovating, keep doing better in terms of fan engagement, and keep making it better in terms of the quality of games.”

“Now that cricket is becoming part of the Olympics and with the Women’s Premier League (WPL) taking it to a different level for women’s cricket, I see a lot of hope and light at the end of the tunnel. Because of the way it has been happening for the last 15 years, it is only going to get better,” said Dhumal during the RCB Innovation Lab’s Leaders Meet India summit, which concluded on Thursday.

Dissecting the role of IPL in earning India a different reputation from the entire world, Dhumal explained, “IPL is the most-watched cricket league in the world. We have fans across the world and when they come to watch, they get to see the diversity and culture of India.”

“They will watch a match up North down South, East to West because teams are spread all across the country. We are a very diverse country in terms of different states, different cultures, and different languages being spoken but this is one platform which is rooted so well that you are able to showcase in India to the globe.”

While talking about the fan insights and engagement of IPL and its franchises, Arun Dhumal lauded Royal Challengers Bangalore’s extensive fanbase by mentioning, “We work as a team with all franchises, we are all partners.”

“We have seen at the recently held World Cup games, that they (fans) were there for Team India, but at the same time, they were rooting for RCB also, which is a great thing and we are very proud of that. Personally, I feel IPL is the best Make in India brand we can think of post-independence.”

–IANS