Tag: IPL

From DLF to TATA: Fees of IPL Title Sponsors Over the Years

The cash-rich Indian Premier League— as a product and brand— has emerged as one of the most profitable arms of cricket. Since its inception in 2008, the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s brainchild has risen by leaps and bounds to be adequately represented by the title sponsors bragging rights to cricket’s most profitable competition.

The title sponsor fees of IPL are strategically important to the BCCI and the companies wanting the gig. So far, three companies had the most extended contracts with BCCI’s cash-rich T20 league— Pepsi, Vivo, and Tata Group. However, the former two had to unexpectedly terminate their agreement due to spot-fixing allegations and border politics.

The large viewership of this lucrative sport has lured brands and MNCs to bid on the title sponsorship. The title sponsorship forms a crucial key to the IPL’s revenue-sharing agreement with the franchises— a fraction of the title sponsorship money goes to the ten franchises.

The 2025 Indian Premier League, also called IPL 18 or TATA IPL 2025, will be the 18th season of the IPL. The tournament will have ten teams playing 74 matches from March 22 to May 25, 2025.

Here’s a timeline of IPL title sponsors price over the years 2008 to 2028:

Year	Sponsor	Fees
2008	DLF	INR 40 crores
2009	DLF	INR 40 crores
2010	DLF	INR 40 crores
2011	DLF	INR 40 crores
2012	DLF	INR 40 crores
2013	Pepsi	INR 79.4 crores
2014	Pepsi	INR 79.4 crores
2015	Pepsi	INR 79.4 crores
2016	Vivo	INR 100 crores
2017	Vivo	INR 100 crores
2018	Vivo	INR 439.8 crores
2019	Vivo	INR 439.8 crores
2020	Dream 11	INR 222 crores
2021	Vivo	INR 439.8 crores
2022	Tata	INR 335 crores
2023	Tata	INR 335 crores
2024	Tata	INR 500 crores
2025	Tata	INR 500 crores
2026	Tata	INR 500 crores
2027	Tata	INR 500 crores
2028	Tata	INR 500 crores

Here is a list of the IPL title sponsors over the years:

DLF: 2008-12
Pepsi: 2013-15
Vivo: 2016-17
Vivo: 2018-19
Dream11: 2020
Vivo: 2021
Tata Group: 2022-23
Tata Group: 2024-28

DLF: 2008-12

Sponsor	DLF
Tenure	2008 to 2012
Fees	INR 40 Crore per annum

The Delhi-based then India’s largest real estate firm, DLF, was the sponsor of the first-ever edition of the Indian Premier League in 2008. Signing a four-year deal with BCCI, DLF bagged the bid by paying BCCI INR 40 crore per annum and became a household name. It was a clever move for the company as it instantly came into the limelight— mainly as the first brand to become the title sponsor of IPL. DLF remained the title sponsor till 2012, and as the deal ended in 2012, the company decided not to renew it. DLF was the first IPL sponsor.

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IPL Sponsors List For 2024

Pepsi: 2013-15

Sponsor	Pepsi
Tenure	2013 to 2015
Fees	INR 79.4 Crore per annum

IPL Title Sponsors List - Pepsi — IPL Title Sponsor List – Pepsi

After DLF’s contract with BCCI was terminated, the soft drink giant Pepsi took over from DLF and grabbed sponsorship rights at INR 396 Crore for five years. The second brand sponsor of IPL had the contract till 2017, but the FMCG giant had to step down in 2015 owing to the spot-fixing allegations swirling around. In 2015, an infamous match-fixing scandal in the IPL came, which led to the suspension of two eminent teams from the IPL— the Chennai Super Kings and the Rajasthan Royals were suspended for two years by the Lodha Committee. After this, Pepsi terminated the contract of 5 years in just three years only. This implies that the multinational beverage company just paid INR 238.2 crores to BCCI for the three years it served as the title sponsor of IPL in 2013, 2014, and 2015.

Vivo: 2016-17

Sponsor	Vivo
Tenure	2016 to 2017
Fees	INR 100 Crores per annum

IPL Title Sponsor List - Vivo — IPL Title Sponsors List – Vivo

When Pepsi walked out of the contract two years before its termination, the BCCI was in a spot of bother to fill the void. However, that void was seen as a golden opportunity by the Chinese mobile company VIVO, which jumped in and grabbed the opportunity to sponsor IPL. Vivo bought rights for the remaining two years of the previous contract from Pepsi by paying INR 100 crores till 2017. The mobile company heavily benefitted from this deal as their sales skyrocketed in the Indian market.

Vivo: 2018-19

Sponsor	Vivo
Tenure	2018 to 2019
Fees	INR 439.8 Crores per annum

IPL Title Sponsors List - Vivo — IPL Title Sponsors List – Vivo

Following the resounding success of their previous two-year deal, VIVO renewed and gained the title rights for five years. The Chinese mobile company upped the bar to seal the agreement by paying a whopping INR 2,199 crore and outbid their business rivals, Oppo. This meant the company paid a massive amount of INR 439.8 crores annually. However, Vivo could not complete its five-year contract with BCCI because of escalating Indo-China border tensions. In 2020, the Sino-Indian diplomatic relations got sour, and Vivo pulled out as an IPL sponsor before the Indo-China Galwan Valley face-off. The growing anti-Chinese sentiments forced Vivo to back off and call a premature end to the contract in 2020.

Dream11: 2020

Sponsor	Dream 11
Tenure	2020
Fees	INR 222 Crores per annum

After Vivo prematurely sacked the agreement following a public backlash, the fantasy sports platform Dream11 in 2020 took its place. After the Chinese mobile manufacturing company, Vivo dropped the contract due to the Indo-China tension, Dream11 came on board and made a deal for INR 222 Crore. The fantasy sports platform had a face-off against one of India’s heavyweights— the Tata Group and Edtech startups such as Byju’s and Unacademy— and bagged the bid, causing BCCI to receive INR 217.80 crores less from the previous contract with Vivo. With a clever marketing strategy and catchy advertisements featuring renowned cricketers, the deal with BCCI accelerated the fantasy game platform Dream11, to become one of the world’s top fantasy platforms.

Dream11 IPL 2020: Ek Saath Waali Baat

Vivo: 2021

Sponsor	Vivo
Tenure	2021
Fees	INR 439.8 Crores per annum

With the hope of diluting Sino-Indian tension in the minds of Indians, the Chinese mobile company VIVO once again returned as the Title Sponsor for the 2021 IPL, paying the same amount as it paid before Dream 11. As this deal was signed, IPL sponsorship cost BCCI a whopping INR 439.8 crores for title sponsorship, but the Chinese manufacturing company again had to pull out after this year as the Indo-China border clash continued to haunt the company. With this, Vivo somehow served five years as the title sponsor of the Indian Premier League. That said, Vivo will also have to pay a 6 percent assignment fee for two years, which comes to INR 29 crore in 2022 and INR 31 crore in 2023, making Vivo pay INR 454 crore— a little over the annual sponsorship money initially committed by the company. The Chinese phone manufacturer wanted to commit to its agreement. Nonetheless, the military face-off between India and China in 2020 caused a large-scale ban on Chinese products in the South Asian peninsula and caused Vivo to step back.

Tata Group: 2022-23

Sponsor	Tata Group
Tenure	2022 to 2023
Fees	INR 335 crores per annum

IPL Title Sponsor List - Tata — IPL Title Sponsors List – Tata

One of India’s largest businesses and most reputed Industrial conglomerates, TATA Group, replaced VIVO for 2022 and 2023 as the IPL title sponsor by paying around INR 670 crore.

With an annual fee of INR 335 crores from TATA and INR 454 crores from Vivo, BCCI had a win-win situation as it is to earn a whopping INR 1124 crore for seasons 2022 and 2023. Of INR 335 crore per year, INR 301 crore is the Rights Fee, and an additional INR 34 crore is the cumulative fee (for an increase of 14 games). As one of the largest and most reliable industrial groups, TATA looks forward to promoting the sport across political borders.

Tata Group: 2024-28

Sponsor	Tata Group
Tenure	2023 to 2028
Fees	INR 500 crores per annum

The Tata Group has secured the title sponsorship rights for the Indian Premier League (IPL) from 2024 to 2028, with a record-breaking financial commitment of INR 2500 crore. This is the highest-ever sponsorship amount in the history of the league, which reflects the immense value and appeal that the IPL holds in the world of sports. The Tata Group is a symbol of excellence in India, with a diverse range of verticals, and has previously held the title sponsorship rights for the IPL in 2022 and 2023. Additionally, the group is also the title sponsor of the Women’s Premier League, the biggest women’s T20 league in the world.

The collaboration between the BCCI and the Tata Group embodies the spirit of growth, innovation, and mutual dedication to excellence. The unprecedented financial commitment by the Tata Group underscores the immense scale and global impact of the IPL on the international sports stage.

For the 2025 IPL season, besides the title sponsor, there are other key partners:

Associate Partners: My11Circle, Angel One, and RuPay
Broadcast Partner: Star Sports
Digital Streaming Partner: Jio Cinema
Strategic Timeout Partner: CEAT
Official Umpire Partner: Wonder Cement

FAQs

Who have the IPL title sponsors been over the years?

The IPL title sponsors over the years are DLF, Pepsi, Vivo, Dream 11, and Tata Group.

In 2015, an infamous match-fixing scandal in the IPL came, which led to the suspension of two eminent teams from the IPL— the Chennai Super Kings and the Rajasthan Royals were suspended for two years. After this, Pepsi terminated the contract of 5 years in just three years only.

Sponsoring an IPL team can vary in cost. Tata Group secured the title sponsorship for IPL 2024-2028 for a record-breaking amount of INR 2500 crore. Team sponsorships are expected to increase by 10% in 2023, with each franchise earning between Rs 50-100 crore depending on the team.

DLF was the first company to be the title sponsor of IPL at INR 40 crores annually.

DLF was the title sponsor of IPL from 2008-2012.

DLF was the IPL title 2008 sponsor.

What is the IPL title sponsors list from 2008 to 2023?

IPL title sponsors from 2008-2012 was DLF, Pepsi from 2013-2015, Vivo from 2016-2019, Dream 11 for 2020, Vivo again for 2021, and Tata from 2022 to 2028.

What is the Vivo IPL sponsorship amount?

Vivo was the title sponsor of IPL from 2016-2019 for INR 100 crore from 2016-2017, INR 440 crore from 2018-2019, and then INR 440 crore for 2021.

What is IPL sponsors 2025 price?

IPL title sponsor from 2024-2028 is Tata with INR 500 crore for every year.

March 11, 2025

All Sponsors of Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025)

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is undoubtedly India’s top-branded Twenty20 league organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Established in 2008, it has quickly developed into one of the richest and most popular T20 leagues in the world, attracting top players from across the cricketing globe. This league is known for its energy: electric matches, strategic player formations, and thrilling player auctions, which lure thousands and millions of fans every season.

The IPL is a fine blend of sports and entertainment, proving to be a very ferocious battlefield, with intoxicating displays of skills and ever-inventive methods of presenting the game. Its financial clout and international notoriety make it the soul of cricket, virtually remapping the commercial face of the game and exhibiting cricket in its purest glory.

TATA
My11Circle
AngelOne
Rupay
Star Sports
Jio Cinema
CEAT
Wonder Cement
Campa Cola

TATA

TATA – Sponsors of Indian Premier League 2025

TATA is an Indian multinational conglomerate whose diversified business lines are automotive, steel, IT, and consumer goods. The Indian Premier League (IPL) has also included TATA as its title sponsor for the renewal period of 2024 to 2028 as a sponsorship deal with the badminton body worth INR 2,500 crores. TATA stepped again into the field of sports. The TATA IPL will now do well in opening up cheap avenues for the company’s markets at various match locations, broadcasts, and online, connecting millions of cricket fans for an exciting time online.

TATA has added one more point of dollar weight to the IPL’s skilling maturity, giving the league a huge boost in retaining its strong position among the top sports leagues worldwide. The league’s brand value increased by a whopping 13% to touch $12 billion in 2024, and it is now on an upward curve. So, through this sponsorship, TATA is taking a step towards promoting Indian sports while strengthening its worldwide brand positioning at a higher level.

My11Circle

My11Circle – Sponsors of Indian Premier League 2025

My11Circle, the fantasy sports app owned by Play Games24x7 Pvt. Ltd., permits users to form virtual teams for cricket and football matches that pay in cash based on individual performance. The platform draws sports lovers with contests like Beat The Expert, Mega, and Private contests, enhancing the gaming experience with inputs from users regarding their sports knowledge and analytical skills.

Being an associate sponsor of IPL 2025 gives My11Circle significantly more brand exposure while attracting more users to its platform. It also increases fan engagement through its fantasy cricket contests, which are interactive contests that enhance the IPL experience. With promotional offers such as exclusive prizes and cash awards, participation is more encouraged. This sponsorship strengthens My11Circle in the fantasy sports industry while making the most of IPL’s popularity to grow its user base.

AngelOne

Angel One – Sponsors of Indian Premier League 2025

Angel One Limited – the most renowned and popular Indian stock broker, is the same before as Angel Broking; only opened its doors in 1996. Angel One provides different services ranging from stock broking to currency, commodity broking, margin trading, depository services, and mutual fund distribution. The company is a member of most major Indian exchanges like NSE, BSE, and MCX.

Angel One, as one of the associate sponsors of IPL 2025, is expected to be visible at large by advertisement in the eyes of the public because of such a league that attracts almost everyone in this country to use its financial services. What is more, is that it is trying to show its commitment to the financial literacy cause and encourage sound investment among sports fans. Angel One’s contribution to the monetary halls of the IPL’s economy, will make the league grow further while strengthening its brand in the financial services domain, as IPL’s popularity will help Angel One grow its clients across India’s shoreline.

Rupay

RuPay – Sponsors of Indian Premier League 2025

RuPay, the indigenous Indian payment system launched by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in 2012, covers all electronic payments initiated through any of the member banks or financial institutions. The RuPay was developed to provide debit, credit, prepaid, and government scheme cards which were all in alignment with the vision of a domestic, open, and multilateral payment network by the Reserve Bank of India.

As an associate sponsor of IPL 2025, RuPay gets a huge opportunity for brand promotion, using the league’s vast audience to promote its secure and convenient digital payment solutions. This collaboration serves the purpose of facilitating electronic payments in the Indian economy, thereby promoting the “less cash” economy movement. Thus, RuPay’s contribution to the financial ecosystem of IPL would also contribute, in its way, to the economic potential of the league and its more positive ramifications in the larger sports and entertainment sector. With the IPL, RuPay will position itself even further in the area of India’s financial services.

Star Sports

Star Sports – Sponsors of Indian Premier League 2025

Star Sports was established in 1992 when a consortium company incorporated the units into Disney India Pvt. Limited, with a specialized focus on cricket, football, and tennis. As an official broadcast partner of IPL 2025, Star Sports will give high-quality TV broadcasting over a series of channels for varied regional languages during matches.

In addition to IPL 2025, Star Sports’ complete merger with the Sports18 brand includes the launch of new regional channels such as Star Sports 2 Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil. It blends with what is being done to promote the league through campaigns and highlight reels to generate buzz among viewers. Then again, it’s TV broadcast IPL matches while on the other side of the globe; it’s streamed digitally through JioCinema. Through that stronghold plus all the promotions done, Star Sports is incredible regarding its contribution to India’s ever-expanding IPL audience, both local and international.

Jio Cinema

JioCinema – Sponsors of Indian Premier League 2025

The streaming platform JioCinema once stood at the forefront of reliability when it came to the richness of its content, such as high-definition live sports. But with its merger into Disney + Hotstar, it has transformed into something entirely different: JioHotstar, which would become the official digital streaming platform for IPL 2025, thus granting seamless access to live matches from multiple devices.

Beginning from the predecessor, JioHotstar will continue to provide 4K streaming for a much-enhanced experience by cricket fans. It further aims to reach the masses by covering IPL in many regional languages, hence catering to over 1.4 billion Indians. Besides, promotional activities are also planned to recruit and engage users using IPL’s tremendous following. With such advanced streaming and outreach, JioHotstar will be an important component of elevating IPL 2025’s digital experience.

Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema Unite Under JioHotstar Brand

Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema merge to create JioHotstar, bringing a new era of streaming in India with expanded content and exclusive offerings.

StartupTalkyNitin Konde

CEAT

CEAT – Sponsors of Indian Premier League 2025

CEAT is a major manufacturer of tires and is a member of the RPG group. The company has been producing tires since 1958 and since then has specialized in tires for high-performance boreholes. The company operates in more than 110 countries. The company believes in innovation and customer satisfaction. As it is now the official umpire partner for IPL 2025, CEAT has sponsored umpires’ uniforms and equipment.

And that’s not all, CEAT also studies the humongous audiences of IPL through varied promotional activities to enhance CEAT’s presence in the market. The greater support that IPL 2025 provides to CEAT in terms of brand association is because it’s a fantastic opportunity for building brand identity within India and across the globe-alignment with the target to reach many more consumers. CEAT, however, claims that investing in the league contributes to this economic ecosystem of IPL manifestly using the bigger sports and entertainment industry, although all of this sounds along the lines of mutually benefiting statements.

Wonder Cement

Wonder Cement – Sponsors of Indian Premier League 2025

This was initiated in 2010, and it has continued to provide mostly high-quality Portland pozzolana and ordinary Portland cement. This Cement is part of the RK Group and has set up its world-class plant in Nimbahera, Rajasthan, with an installed capacity of producing 11 million tons of cement annually. The company has extended into Maharashtra, other states, and around the world as grinding units. Wonder Cement has become an integral part of itself within IPL 2025: although the actual role is as yet unclear, even the involvement would up-mark the brand visibility through sponsorships and promotions.

Thus joining IPL 2025 would allow Wonder Cement to augment its brand visibility through the reach of an audience that at the time might number into the hundreds of millions. Such participation thus would level up the IPL financial ecosystem, which would, in turn, help other sports and entertainment in the country. This affiliation will help the company to reach more and more people, consolidating its position in the industry and diversifying the consumer base.

Campa Cola

Campa Cola – Sponsors of Indian Premier League 2025

Campa Cola was a very popular Indian soft drink brand in the 1970s and 1980s before falling away from the limelight after its acquisition by Reliance Industries in 2022 from an initial cost of INR 22 crores. It was launched by the Pure Drinks Group in 1977 only to perish when the multinational companies came up. With its new variants and low prices, Campa Cola is ready to fight for its rightful space in the Indian beverages market.

As a co-sponsoring sponsor for IPL 2025, Campa Cola is harnessing the broad audience of the tournament to enhance its brand visibility. Reliance is strategically utilizing this sponsorship to solidify its market presence by providing attractive retail margins and ensuring quality front displays. By investing in IPL, and therefore creating a competitive environment that appeals to more and different types of consumers, Campa Cola builds its brand while strengthening the economic model that IPL is creating for itself.

Impact of IPL on Indian Economy

Cricket is like a religion in India, Many cricket fans every year await IPL, but do you know how influential impact IPL has on the Indian Economy? Lets find out

StartupTalkyShruti Jalan

FAQs

What is the playing format of IPL?

IPL follows a round-robin group and knockout format, which means that each team plays against the others in a predetermined number of matches, and the top-performing teams advance to the playoffs.

Where are the IPL sponsors advertising?

Sponsors are advertising both on television broadcasts and on the digital streaming platform, JioHotstar.

March 7, 2025

IPL Salaries vs. BCCI Contracts: A Comparison of How Much Indian Cricketers Earn from Each

The IPL, a professional T20 cricket league initiated in 2008 by the BCCI, is the most prominent body in the cricket landscape in India. This fast-paced league is known for its unique mixture of cricket and entertainment and usually runs from March to May. Comprised of ten city-based franchises, this league has become an even more global phenomenon, attracted top international star talent, and created phenomenal commercial success with its media rights reaching nearly $6.4 billion in 2023.

Formed in 1928, the BCCI is the governing body of cricket in India, taking care of everything from player contracts to domestic tournaments to the national team. The BCCI also plays an important role in the grassroots development of the game and representation of India at international cricketing fora. They have made cricket what it is today: popular, and commercially strong with a credible platform for future aspiring players to show their art.

Indian Premier League (IPL)

The Indian Premier League or IPL is a Twenty20 professional cricket league created by the Board of Control for Cricket in India in 2008, which later on emerged as one of the most reputed and converting cricket leagues around the globe. It also consists of all franchises of respective cities of India. One way of taking place in the match is by forming the IPL with sports entertainment and watching enormous people’s views along with sponsorship.

Key Features

Format: The IPL takes the round-robin approach with playoffs at the end. A normal season will last for about two months, where generally the teams will play a certain number of matches, and then the best ones will move to the knockout stage.
Franchises: As of 2024, there will be ten franchises- Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans, Kolkata Knight Riders, Lucknow Super Giants, Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Popularity: The IPL therefore siphons off and harnesses talent, making it a viewership platform for international cricket stars as well as emerging players. The media rights of the league were sold for almost $6.4 billion in the year 2023.

Contracts of Players in IPL

The franchises bid formally for players at their auctions. Such auction modes bring about competition in salary growth and roster-making long-term planning at the level of teams.

Structure of Contract

Auction process: Players are sold through an auction conducted before each forthcoming season; in addition, each team is allowed to retain several previous season players under negotiated rates of salary.
Salary caps: Each of these franchises has a salary cap – that total amount over which they can not go into payment of salary to their players. The salary caps of all the teams were confined to INR 95 crore in 2024 (almost 11.5 million dollars).
Retention Rules: Teams can retain players before the auction to get them at the highest possible payment.

Compensation for IPL players

Compensation ranges significantly from player to player in the IPL, depending on his performance, the demand in the market for him, and the budget of the franchise. Players also make a good amount, often surpassing their national contract earnings.

Compensation Overview

Highest-Paid: Players with the Eclipse IPL would earn more than INR 20 crore (about $2.5 million) in one season. Mitchell Starc, for example, cost INR 24.75 crores in 2024.
Average Salaries: Of course, the millionaires are at the top, but there are a lot of domestic players who may earn very little. The average salary may vary from INR 1 crore to INR 10 crore depending upon the experience and performance.
Incentives: Performance milestones such as several runs scored or some wickets taken in the season could also earn players bonuses.

Recent Auction Updates

Most Expensive Players in IPL from 2014 to 2024

Indeed the 2024 IPL Auction brought in a greater amount of financial stakes with a record sale. As players contracted the most recently, with different international reputations and recent performance records like Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, The Franchise has moved again-now toward player acquisitions on building a balanced squad whose composition includes world talents with skilled domestic players.

The Indian Premier League has revolutionized the concept of cricket by introducing huge money through a dynamic contract and auction system. By combining competition with entertainment, it has made a great supplier of talent from all over the arena of Indian cricket with competitive competition among itself. The combination of the above factors has provided the impetus for high viewer engagement and sponsorship, resulting in the IPL developing into a commercial and sporting powerhouse. It has now become a cultural phenomenon that, beyond cricket, has managed to create an audience in India and the world as a unique blend of sport, glamour, and thrill. The IPL has an innermost effect beyond cricket grounds; it would be a game for some, but for others, it is not an entertainment spectacle and an engine for social and economic transformation.

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)

The BCCI, which is short for the Board of Control for Cricket in India, is that particular governing body that presides over the cricket sport in the entire India. The BCCI’s responsibilities primarily include all kinds of cricket–domestic or international–involvement in player contracts as well as development at different levels. Founded in 1928, the BCCI has been an integral part of this propagation of cricket in India and now boasts of being among the richest sporting governing bodies internationally.

Key Functions

Regulation: The BCCI regulates domestic tournaments such as the Ranji Trophy and IPL, and ensures compliance with International Standards.
Team Management: It looks after the National teams concerning formats (Test, ODI, T20) and is responsible for player selection and appointments, and coaching staff.
Financial Oversight: Controlling broadcasting rights, sponsorship deals, and revenue generation makes BCCI financially huge.

BCCI Contracts

Contracts issued by BCCI are in between one year from the board and selective players. It was contracted with the understanding of terms concerning the salary and obligations with entitlement bonuses received while representing India during this time. They segmented them into four structures based on a player’s performance and contribution to the country.

Structure of Contract

Categories: Four rankings are given to the players:

Grade	Salary
Grade A+	INR 7 crore in a year
Grade A	INR 5 crore in a year
Grade B	INR 3 crore in a year
Grade C	INR 1 crore in a year

Match Fees: Retainer salaries are supplemented with match fees for each player that varies depending on the format (Test, ODI, T20).
Performance-based Promotions: Representation-in grades for players can change while under this contract based on performance. High performances may entail bonuses or special incentives.
Contract Duration: Most of the time these contracts cover one cricket season (October-September), international cricket calendar-wise.
Additional Benefits: Central contract players avail reimbursement for travel or medical assistance or training facilities and many hotels, among others.

Compensation Overview

Grade	Annual Salary (INR Crore)	Notable Players
A+	7	Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja
A	5	Mohammed Shami, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya
B	3	Rishabh Pant, Surya Kumar Yadav
C	1	Rinku Singh, Mukesh Kumar

Recent Changes

BCCI announced central contracts for the next season in February 2024. Some key riders are as follows:

New players have been inducted under various categories for their recent performances.
Some established players left out of the contracts will not be part of this year’s roster because of performance or injury issues.
Contracts for fast bowlers to cater to their specific situations within the team.

BCCI plays an important role in adding to Indian cricket through its elaborate contract system: fair pay, and performance maintenance. Just the entitlement to a large salary depending on the category of player, plus additions for extraordinary performances, BCCI has been giving a supporting hand to the player financially and motivating him to perform on the international front. This way, the country boasts of being a giant in world cricket.

Conclusion

The backbone of Indian Cricket is the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which has structured and financially well-paying contracts for its players. From clear player grades and salaries, BCCI ensures the best performers are rewarded while encouraging their new talents. By generating massive revenues from broadcasting rights, sponsorship, and the promotion of tournaments such as IPL, BCCI has kept the bar higher for other cricket-playing nations in international cricket.

This financial muscle does not only put the players under glamour contracts, but it also encourages cricket on all levels across the country. Without a doubt, Indian cricket will continue to prosper at home and in the international arena with all these efforts and provisions that BCC has put into player welfare, performance motivation, and management strategies in due course of time. This system is, after all, good not only for players but also for India’s standing as a heavyweight within world cricket, ensuring that such a force stays at the forefront of the game for many years to come.

FAQs

What is BCCI?

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the primary governing body for cricket in India.

What is IPL?

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is an annual men’s Twenty20 cricket league organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

What is the difference between IPL salary and BCCI contract fee for cricket players?

IPL salary refers to the payment players receive for participating in the Indian Premier League, while the BCCI contract outlines the terms of employment for players under the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

February 28, 2025

How IPL Teams Earn Money

The latest edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is here now in 2025, and naturally, we are in the midst of the cricket frenzy with players set in action, the religious fans of the game all thrilled and waiting for their favorite matches, and the franchise owners and other businessmen anticipating great returns out of it. The Twenty20 Cricket League allows the best cricket players around the world and gives them a chance to showcase their talent. The key business plan of the IPL is to invite private companies to buy cricket franchises.

The franchises are sold at huge prices, so the corporates are largely attracted to invest in various other major components of IPL. Regarding the Indian Premier League auctions, teams spend crores of rupees just to get the desired players. With the kind of money involved in the league, it is hard to ignore the financial aspects of the game. In terms of the valuation, the IPL business value was calculated to be $16.4 billion as of 2024 and the stand-alone IPL brand value stands at $3.4 billion as of 2024.

According to BCCI, the 2023 IPL season contributed $11.2 billion to the GDP of the Indian Economy. The viewership of IPL 2024 reached the 620 million viewer mark and was watched by more than 350 billion minutes, which is much higher than the total watch time of IPL 2020. Therefore, IPL is as much about business as it is about cricket, glitz, and showbiz. Here are the right prominent ways to answer how IPL franchise earn money.

Impact of IPL on Indian Economy

1. Media Rights
2. Ticket Sales/Gate Revenue
3. Merchandising
4. Selling stake
5. Sponsorship
6. Prize Money
7. Brand Value
8. Unlisted Shares
9. Investments in IPL
10. OTT Platforms
11. Franchise Rights

1. Media Rights

The official media sponsor of the IPL for the last decade was Sony India, and then Dream 11. The current title sponsor of IPL is TATA Group. Disney+Hotstar is declared as the official broadcaster of IPL 2022, which has further onboarded new sponsors, Zomato, Pristyn Care, Ather Energy, Parle Agro, Livspace, Niyo, Spotify, L’Oreal, Spinny, ahead of the cricketing extravaganza.

IPL is known for its revenue distribution model. The BCCI gets a substantial amount from broadcasters and online streamers. Based on IPL franchises to earn money, and IPL team ranking, this amount is distributed among all IPL teams after deducting their fees.

Media rights are another way how franchises earn money in IPL. They are the IPL brand’s biggest financial contributors. Star India reportedly broke the bank in 2023 to buy IPL broadcasting rights for a massive INR 23,575 crores. Each match of the IPL reportedly helps BCCI make INR 60.18 crores, while the latest bid in the BCCI media rights auction stands at INR 23,758 crores, which amounts to INR 59.10 crores per match.

The broadcasters can afford such exorbitant prices because of the advertising and viewership revenues. At the end of the league, the higher-ranking team gets the larger share of media revenue. Media rights account for 60 to 70% of the total earnings of the IPL team, through which IPL team members earn money. Besides that, the IPL franchises also make money by broadcasting special shows such as KKR’s Knight Club.

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2. Ticket Sales/Gate Revenue

The revenue generated from the sale of tickets for matches forms another major source of income for the owners of IPL teams. Each franchise is entitled to a minimum of 7 home matches, which gives them a fair opportunity to generate money. The ticket revenue share in the IPL team revenue is around 10%. The home team gets a fixed share of the total ticket sales, and all IPL team owners earn money by selling tickets.

The franchises then have complete rights to the income from gate tickets and passes. Like any other major sports event, the IPL teams depend largely on their fans for revenue. It is one of the most watched leagues worldwide, with full houses on most occasions. This is one of the few mediums of income where fans and franchises are directly involved in the financial transaction and through which IPL team earn money.

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3. Merchandising

How do IPL Teams Make Money – Merchandising

The revenue received from sales of official IPL merchandise also forms a significant part of income for IPL teams. The IPL merchandise includes official jersey replicas, sports souvenirs, and sports equipment, among other things. Merchandising is a huge opportunity for IPL and the franchisees to monetize their brand, and IPL has started replicating the global sporting events.

This trend is expected to change, with more IPL franchises now moving towards elevated merchandise promotion. The game merchandise market in India is growing at an annual rate of 100 percent. This market is about 30 million dollars. Every franchisee sells its merchandise; this includes T-shirts, caps, bats, wristwatches, and other items. Therefore, merchandising is a significant source for IPL franchise to earn money.

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4. Selling Stake

The IPL franchises can make big gains by selling stakes at the right time. For example, Delhi Capitals, formerly the Delhi Daredevils case. Jindal Steel Works brought a 50% stake in the IPL franchise for a hefty price of INR 550 crore from GMR. The group has expressed its desire to increase its share in the franchise from 50 to 100%.

So, within a decade, GMR almost doubled its investment in the franchise. Recently, there were intense rumors that the owners of Rajasthan Royals wanted to go by the same route and sell 50% of their stakes in the franchise. Although such big deals don’t happen deals every day, selling stakes is surely one of the major routes to making money for IPL franchises. This is one of the prominent ways through which the IPL team owner make money.

5. Sponsorship

IPL Sponsorships – How IPL Franchises Make Money

Everything within the stadium has a price tag, from players batting to the bails on the stamps. The sponsors are the real source of income in the Indian Premium League. All the teams of IPL have sponsors for everything: the main sponsor, a jersey sponsor, and even a sleeve sponsor, which hugely contributes to the overall income. The teams tie up with organizations to promote brands in return for an exorbitant amount.

The promotion is done in two forms: through print media and through advertorials. The player’s jerseys are a valuable marketing tool. This is why an IPL outfit has an average of 10 brand logos: 6 on the jerseys, 2 on the pants, and another couple on the cap. Moreover, the franchises also create ad content to promote the brands’ products.

While the brands that cannot make on the jerseys are still promoted through the teams’ social media handles and package design, for example, CSK has tied up with at least 18 brands, with Etihad Airways being the title sponsor.

Fees of IPL Title Sponsors Over the Years

IPL title sponsor fees are crucial for BCCI and the companies involved, impacting revenue with franchises. Here is the IPL title sponsors list.

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6. Prize Money

Prize money is obviously one of the franchise’s main income sources. The tournament’s winning team gets the largest share of the prize money, which goes to the team owners and the players. In 2023, the winners got INR 20 crores, the runner-up got INR 13 crores, the third place in the playoffs was INR 7 crores, while the fourth place in the playoffs got INR 6.5 crores.

7. Brand Value

Most Valuable IPL Teams in 2023

Brand value adds a lot to the team. If you have star players like Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni or even Rohit Sharma in your team, you have a better chance of attracting brands and investors. Winning IPL or even making it to the Playoffs helps IPL franchises to boost their brand values. This, in turn, helps in easily getting brands on board – at prices that the owners demand. Note that MI, CSK, and KKR, all of whom have won IPL more than once, are at the top of the brand value.

So, the clout that teams like CSK and MI enjoy during negotiations with brands may not necessarily be experienced by DC and KXIP. However, it is important to know that Brand Value is not only affected by a team’s past performances. Bollywood stars like Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta also add a lot to that aspect, along with business leaders like Keshav Bansal and Neeta Ambani.

8. Unlisted Shares

It is worth noting that while it is a new phenomenon for Indian sports franchises, numerous European football franchises have been offering their pre-IPO stocks in cricket fans’ lives for a while now. In India, Chennai Super Kings is among the select few sports franchises whose unlisted shares can be traded. These franchises have been able to generate a considerable amount of capital through their pre-IPO stocks, which has proven to be a valuable source of funding for them.

9. Investments in IPL

Saudi Arabia shared plans to invest up to $5 billion in the IPL in 2023. The league is also attracting a lot of interest from American investors who are putting big money into it, making the IPL one of the most profitable sports ventures. According to the Financial Times, US companies like Silver Lake Partners, KKR & Co., and TPG Capital have invested over $3.2 billion in the IPL.

US investors are drawn to the IPL because of its huge popularity and its potential to grow even more. The IPL isn’t just a well-loved sporting event; it also has a big impact on India’s economy.

10. OTT Platforms

Viacom18, the company that owns Jio Cinemas, won the OTT rights for IPL from 2023 to 2027. They bid INR 23,758 crore just for the digital streaming rights! Altogether, the total revenue from IPL media rights for 2023-2027 came to around INR 48,390 crore. This includes INR 23,575 crore for TV rights and INR 23,758 crore for digital rights. This is more than twice the amount earned in the previous period!

11. Franchise Rights

IPL teams earn from franchise rights by getting a share of the central revenue pool, signing local sponsorships, and selling team merchandise like jerseys and caps. Some teams organize international matches, invest in cricket academies, and monetize digital content through ads and brand collaborations. This helps them earn even outside the IPL season.

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Conclusion

Indian Premier League(IPL) is a money-making business and festival for cricket fans worldwide. Cricket fans around the world travel across seven countries and seven continents to watch IPL in India. All credit goes to the cricket league as it has created a bigger impact on cricket fans’ lives. It’s a money-making league where the money is generated from all sources. The money is generated from advertisements, sponsors, stadium tickets, merchandise, TV, and media.

FAQs

What is the brand value of IPL 2024?

The IPL business value was calculated to be $16.4 billion as of 2024 and the stand-alone IPL brand value stands at $3.4 billion as of 2024.

How IPL team owners earn money?

IPL team owners earn money primarily through sponsorships, broadcasting rights, ticket sales, merchandise, and team merchandise. They also generate revenue from franchise fees paid by team owners and endorsements.

What is IPL merchandise?

The IPL merchandise includes IPL and team t-shirts, key rings, jerseys, polo t-shirts, mobile covers, chargers, caps, joggers, coasters, wristbands and more.

What is the IPL business model?

The IPL business model revolves around acquiring players and teams, advertising, merchandising, sponsorship, fantasy gaming, and more. The IPL business model’s core is inviting private firms and businesses to own franchises.

Which is the oldest IPL team?

MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) had the oldest players in their team, while Rajasthan Royals (RR) had the youngest team playing in the IPL 2021 according to the average age of the players in the squad.

Which is the No.1 successful team in IPL?

MI and CSK are the most successful teams in the league’s history, with 5 IPL titles.

What is IPL team owner income per match?

IPL teams can earn between INR 3–5 crores per match from ticket sales. The home team receives 80% of the ticket sales, while the state cricket board receives the remaining 20%.

How much IPL winning team owners make money?

The IPL offers the highest prize money: INR 20 crore for the winning team and INR 12.5 crore for the runner-up.

How IPL teams earn money?

IPL teams earn money in the following ways:

1. Media Rights
2. Ticket Sales/Gate Revenue
3. Merchandising
4. Selling stake
5. Sponsorship
6. Prize Money
7. Brand Value
8. Unlisted Shares
9. Investments in IPL
10. OTT Platforms
11. Franchise Rights

How do IPL franchises make money?

IPL franchises make money through multiple streams, including broadcast revenue from media rights, sponsorships from brand partnerships, and ticket sales from home matches. They also earn from merchandise sales, prize money based on performance, and player trading. Additionally, income comes from local sponsorships, digital content on platforms like YouTube, and investments in global leagues and regional events. These diverse revenue sources ensure IPL franchises remain profitable.

February 5, 2025
Cricbuzz Marketing Strategy: How It Stays Ahead in the Cricket Game
In this fast-moving world, who has the time to have a set up in their living room to sit back and watch the cricket match? That’s where Mr. Pankaj Chhaparwal’s brain clicked and he came up with the idea of Cricbuzz.

Cricbuzz was founded in 2004 and was merged with the Go Cricket website in 2014 by its majority stakeholder Times Internet. Cricbuzz is a platform that features news, articles, and live coverage of cricket matches that includes videos, text commentary, players’ information, and team rankings.

Cricbuzz uses many creative marketing strategies to highlight the company’s social media presence all over India. One of the Buzz created by them was a show during lockdown named ‘STRATEGIC TIMEOUT’ which denotes a short break from the busy life to sit back and enjoy the videos of cricket celebrities talking about the COVID-19 safety norms by practicing social distancing & talking about the proper use of sanitizers. They said that it was not a lockdown it was just a strategic time-out! Cricketers also humorously answered lockdown-related doubts, questions, and queries to lighten the mood of the masses and ensure maximum reach and knowledge of both, the safety norms and the brand Cricbuzz. There are many such brand and marketing strategies used by Cricbuzz. A few of the top ones are mentioned below:

Cricbuzz Marketing – Video Advertising
Cricbuzz Marketing – Social Media Platforms
Cricbuzz Marketing – Commentary
Cricbuzz Marketing – Spicy Pitch
Cricbuzz Marketing – IPL Song

Cricbuzz Marketing – Video Advertising

Cricbuzz TV Advertisement – Cricket Ka Keeda – Milk

It’s one of the best marketing techniques that Cricbuzz uses to attract the attention of its users. They first started with TV commercials in which they showcased everyday life situations and what happens when the ‘Cricket ka keeda’ bites people. In ‘Cricket ka keeda’ they telecasted a milk advertisement, in which the husband slips the milk packet by throwing it on his wife’s head and is busy watching the live scores on the Cricbuzz website. Also, they showcased a commercial in which a cricket enthusiast, enters his classroom in a towel watching the live match on the Cricbuzz app. The company targets young smartphone users and also cricket lovers as their audience. They give them the latest updates through live match videos and commentary with the option of recording and rewinding to watch their favorite shots again. This helped the company attract a lot of customers to the mobile app.

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Cricbuzz Marketing – Social Media Platforms

Cricbuzz Instagram and X

Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube have helped them bring live match updates and share rich content on their website. The company saw a huge growth in the social media users using their social media platforms mostly YouTube and Twitter for watching the live scores. Cricbuzz is growing over social media platforms. They have also started posting small video clips of cricketers after every match or tournament on their YouTube channel, and users can access them by searching for the clips of their favorite players.

Cricbuzz’s social media strategy focuses on real-time updates, interactive content, and video storytelling to keep cricket fans engaged. It provides live scores, match highlights, polls, quizzes, and memes across platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. The brand uses trending hashtags, short-form videos, and influencer collaborations with cricketers and analysts to boost engagement. By personalizing content and using strategic notifications, Cricbuzz ensures fans stay connected and engaged, making it a dominant company in cricket media.

Cricbuzz Marketing – Commentary

Cricbuzz has come up with a new concept of live commentary during the match. They offer commentary in two languages Hindi and English, which provides the company with a diversified audience who listen to both languages. Commentary is a way to provide inaccessible information to the viewers promptly and to enhance their viewing experience. By giving watchers the information they need and a clear way to think more about the game, Cricbuzz played very well. They started giving the commentary and also gave the written notes in the comments box section to let them read it afterward. This helped them achieve major success in their domain.

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Cricbuzz Marketing – Spicy Pitch

Cricbuzz- Spicy Pitch

Cricket’s audience is always hungry for great cricket stories. So Cricbuzz came up with their original web series, Spicy Pitch which featured top cricketers telling stories about their life journey from the start of their career to becoming a successful and top cricketer in the Indian team. The show is based on the cricketers reciting their lives in their own words and a tagline was attached to the show ‘Apni Kahaani, ApniZubaani’. The show was a great success for the Cricbuzz family as the viewers loved listening to their favorite cricketers telling how and from where they started and how much practice, dedication, and hard work it takes to be in their position. Spicy Pitch helped Cricbuzz to grow into a premier OTT platform that not only provides the best news on cricket but also the best entertainment on its platform for viewers.

Spicy Pitch

Cricbuzz Marketing – IPL Song

#AbCricketBuzzega

IPL (INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE) is a massive event for Indian cricket fans, but in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it wasn’t sure if IPL would be conducted or not. It was that time when the news came out that IPL would be played, Cricbuzz started working on its strategy to make the audience get out of the lockdown boredom and thus came up with a Rap song before IPL 2020. They worked on the rap song and came up with a short video with the phrase ‘Ab Cricket Buzzega’. In the video, they show how a cricket fan is getting bored due to the conditions outside, and as the video reaches its climax, Cricbuzz shows the excitement using some cricket phrases, that come every year with the IPL by using their Cricbuzz’s latest update and live commentary. Also, the marketing campaign was quite refreshing and gave hope to raise the spirits of viewers with the same old excitement they had before the COVID-19 pandemic with Cricbuzz.

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Conclusion

Cricbuzz is a company that focuses more on its audience and cricket. They plan their strategies according to the viewer’s needs. Cricbuzz has achieved many major milestones during its journey till now and no doubt has added every media platform to its strategy to make it a big success.

FAQs

Who is CEO of Cricbuzz?

Pankaj Chhaparwal is the CEO of Cricbuzz.

Who owns Cricbuzz?

Cricbuzz is owned by Times Internet.

Who is Cricbuzz founder?

Pankaj Chhaparwal, Piyush Agrawal, and Pravin Hegde have created Cricbuzz.

Who are the Top Competitors of CricBuzz?
- ESPN Cricinfo
- International Cricket Council
- Onecricket
- Cricketcountry
- Cricket Exchange
Which country owns Cricbuzz?

Cricbuzz is Indian cricket news website.

Who is the best commentator of cricbuzz?

Harsha Bhogle
February 3, 2025

Cricbuzz: The Ultimate Cricket Hub Driving Fans and Revenue

Company Profile is an initiative by StartupTalky to publish verified information on different startups and organizations.

We all love watching and playing cricket right? “Cricket is my favorite sport” yelled a guy from that corner. Of course yes, it’s almost the entire Indian’s favorite sport! Imagine when the IPL‘s last over is on and there’s a power cut. Can you imagine how annoying, it’s for you, me, or any cricket lover?

Anyway, no worries about that anymore. Cricbuzz is an Indian cricket news platform. It will provide you with all the desired news you want, in case of a power cut or you might be out of the station without a television.

Learn more about Cricbuzz, its founders, business and revenue model, startup story, growth, revenue, challenges, and more.

How Cricbuzz became the Biggest Cricketing News Sensation

Cricbuzz – Company Highlights

Company Name	Cricbuzz
Headquarters	Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Founders	Pankaj Chhaparwal, Piyush Agarwal, and Pravin Hegde
Founded	2004, mobile app – 2010
Annual Revenue	$22 million (2020)
Parent Organization/Owner	Times Internet
Website	www.cricbuzz.com

Cricbuzz – About
Cricbuzz – Founders And Team
Cricbuzz – Owner
Cricbuzz – Startup Story And History
Cricbuzz – Business Model
Cricbuzz – Revenue Model
Cricbuzz – Achievements
Cricbuzz – Competitors
Cricbuzz – Growth
Cricbuzz – Creative Marketing Strategy and Active Social Media Presence

Cricbuzz – About

Cricbuzz is an Indian cricket news website owned by Times Internet. It features articles, news, and live coverage of cricket matches. This includes scorecards, videos, text commentary, team rankings, and player stats. This website also provides a mobile app. Cricbuzz is one of the most popular mobile apps for cricket news and scores in India.

Cricbuzz Logo

Cricbuzz – Founders And Team

Pankaj Chhaparwal, Piyush Agarwal, and Pravin Hegde are the founders of Cricbuzz.

Pankaj Chhaparwal | Founder and CEO, Cricbuzz

Pankaj Chhaparwal is the founder and CEO of Cricbuzz. He has been working here from the beginning itself. He pursued his education at L D College of Engineering, Gujarat University.
STAR has taken Piyush Agarwal. He pursued his education at the Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University.
Pravin Hegde is the co-founder and CTO at Cricbuzz.
Sarah Waris is a Freelance Contributor at Cricbuzz. She joined the company in March 2019.
Abhideep Das is the Content Strategist and the Senior Producer at Cricbuzz. Before he was the Creative Producer of Digital Content for Kolkata Knight Riders. He was also an Editorial Consultant at Bayside Media Private Limited.

Cricbuzz – Owner

Times Internet is the owner of Cricbuzz. Times Internet is India’s largest digital products company. Its subsidiaries include Economic Times, Bangalore Mirror, Gaana, MX Player, MensXP, Times of India, Cricbuzz, IndiaTimes, CricPlay, Databack, Dineout, ETMoney, and more.

Cricbuzz – Startup Story And History

Three former Infosys employees started Cricbuzz. In November 2014, Times Internet, part of the Times of India group, bought a big share in Cricbuzz.

In January 2015, Times Internet merged its cricket platform, GoCricket, with Cricbuzz. GoCricket’s website started redirecting users to Cricbuzz, and the GoCricket mobile app was also combined with Cricbuzz.

Later, in August 2015, Cricbuzz sponsored the India-Sri Lanka test series.

Cricbuzz – Business Model

Cricbuzz’s business model is mainly concerned with giving updated scores of the matches. It sells to OnMobile which has got a relationship with different mobile operators. Under this, users get the latest live score updates for a charge. This is the primary source of their income. Other than this source, the company runs various advertisements on its platform, which is also a source of revenue generation for the company. The company is in a partnership with InMobi to monetize mobile advertisements.

Cricbuzz – Revenue Model

Cricbuzz makes money mainly through advertising and sponsorships:

Advertising: Cricbuzz earns a lot from display and video ads on its platform. Cricbuzz grabs a huge amount via Adsense and Admob on its site and app. The strategic placement of advertisements in a user-friendly manner near the content helps Cricbuzz Monetize.
Sponsorships: Big brands like Google, ESPN, Star Sports, BCCI, and ICC partner with Cricbuzz. These deals bring in more money, boost trust, and help Cricbuzz create more content.
High-Traffic Platform: Cricbuzz has many cricket fans visiting its platform, making it a great choice for advertisers.

Cricbuzz’s revenue model mainly revolves around Advertisements something ubiquitous from which the companies usually earn. It also earns through the display of the Cricbuzz scores on Hike Messenger. Cricbuzz creates value for users, which also promotes itself to customers.

It also earns money by sharing live cricket scores with telecom operators. These operators send score updates as messages to their users. Google AdSense also plays a big role in helping Cricbuzz make money.

Cricbuzz Financials

Metrics	FY 2019-20	FY 2018-19	FY 2017-18	FY 2016-17	FY 2015-16
Revenue	INR 156.6 crore	INR 133 crore	INR 97.3 crore	INR 70.5 crore	INR 66.4 crore
EBITDA	INR 70.6 crore	INR 69.6 crore	INR 41.4 crore	INR 15.4 crore	INR 18.7 crore
Net Profit	INR 49.9 crore	INR 48.6 crore	INR 25.8 crore	INR 11 crore	INR 11.6 crore

Cricbuzz’s revenue grew steadily from INR 66.4 crore in FY 2015-16 to INR 156.6 crore in FY 2019-20. Its EBITDA also rose from INR 18.7 crore to INR 70.6 crore during the same period. Net profit increased from INR 11.6 crore in FY 2015-16 to INR 49.9 crore in FY 2019-20, showing strong financial growth over the years.

Cricbuzz – Achievements

With 496.25M organic traffic, Cricbuzz was ranked 26th worldwide by RankRanger for The Top Websites by Organic Rank.
In October 2019, the company was ranked 406 globally.
It was ranked 40 in India by Alexa Internet.
The site was the 7th most searched site in India for the year 2014.
The mobile app has over 100 million downloads and more for October 2019.
The website is used by more than 50 million users all over the world. It generated 2.6 billion page views in January 2015. Unbelievable!

Cricbuzz – Competitors

The top competitors of the company are the International Cricket Council, ESPNcricinfo, Cricket Exchange, and Onecricket.

The International Cricket Council is the world governing body of cricket.
ESPNcricinfo is a sports news website only for the game of cricket.
Cricket Exchange provides its users with the fastest Live scores. With accurate Odds and sessions and everything. It keeps the users in touch with cricket.
Onecricket is something more than fantasy sports. It’s the best platform to follow cricket games, compete with your friends, and showcase your cricket knowledge.

Cricbuzz – Growth

During the 2015 World Cup. Cricbuzz was the most used cricket score website for cricketing news and updates. The company also received a massive number of visitors during the World Cup at a time. It was the most desired destination of all cricket lovers on mobile with over 1 billion visits during the World Cup alone.

Cricbuzz – Creative Marketing Strategy and Active Social Media Presence

To increase its popularity out of the circle of cricket fans, Cricbuzz started a social media campaign “Strategic Timeout”. Strategic Timeout is called out by IPL teams during mid-game to reformulate the strategy. The content was based on how social media influencers used the lockdown period strategically. This content leads the influencer followers to the Cricbuzz app and social media pages.

Social Media Campaigns by Cricbuzz | StratupTalky — Social Media Campaigns by Cricbuzz

Cricbuzz has very active and interactive social media pages. It keeps posting new challenges and campaigns along with cricket world updates and talks. Some of the challenges are “Guess the champion”, “Strategic Timeout”, “Mask India” and “AbCricketBuzzega”. To hype up the upcoming season of IPL 2020 Cricbuzz recorded a rap “AbCricketBuzzega”.

There was a possibility. There is a possibility. And there will always be a possibility to pump up money through cricket. Pitches are always the priority in this aspect. Now we see advanced synthetic pitches. These are used for shorter formats. A tinge of grass and sponge pitch is required for bowlers. This kind of thing will make the sport more interesting than before. Of course, it needs deep and strategic planning. Games are suspended due to rain. Soon, there will be closed-roof stadiums to avoid the most annoying part of live cricket.

Conclusion

Cricbuzz is a popular website and mobile application that provides up-to-date news, scores, and statistics for cricket matches around the world. It is a reliable source of information for cricket fans and offers a wide range of features such as live scores, commentary, and player profiles. It is considered one of the most popular cricket websites which provides all the information related to cricket.

FAQs

Who are the Cricbuzz founders?

Pankaj Chhaparwal, Piyush Agarwal, and Pravin Hedge are the founders of Cricbuzz.

How does Cricbuzz make money?

Cricbuzz grabs a huge amount via Adsense and Admob on its site and app. The strategic placement of advertisements in a user-friendly manner near the content helps Cricbuzz Monetize.

Who owns Cricbuzz?

Pankaj Chhaparwal, Piyush Agarwal, and Pravin Hegde are the founders of Cricbuzz. Times Internet is the Parent Organisation/Owner of Cricbuzz.

Who are the Top Competitors of Cricbuzz?

The top competitors of Cricbuzz are the International Cricket Council, ESPNcricinfo, Cricket Exchange, and Onecricket.

How much is Cricbuzz’s Revenue?

Cricbuzz’s Revenue is nearly $22 million as of 2020.

How does Cricbuzz website work?

The Cricbuzz website features articles, news, and live coverage of cricket matches. This includes scorecards, videos, text commentary, team rankings, and player seats.

December 19, 2024

The Rise and Fall of Lalit Modi: From Cricket Czar to Controversial Tycoon

Lalit Modi became a monster who would swallow the well-established veteran officials of the game. This was in the year 2010 when he fled away from the country to escape arrest in the money laundering case. However, the former cricket administrator hit the headlines when he introduced actor Sushmita Sen as her better-looking partner.

Modi was at the peak of his career; he was the founder, first chairman, and commissioner of the IPL. Moreover, he ran tournaments for three straight three years. The head of the Champions League, the Cricket Association, and the second in command of the BCCI and Punjab Cricket Association crashed down in the year 2010.

In this StartupTalky story, we will explore how Lalit Modi, the cricket Czar, had a controversial fall from grace.

Lalit Modi – Biography

Name	Lalit Modi
Born on	November 29, 1963
Birth Place	New Delhi India
Education	Bishop Cotton School in Shimla St. Joseph’s College in Nainital Pace University in New York Duke University in North Carolina
Profession	Business Man Cricket Administrator
Spouse	Late Minal Modi
Children	Son: Ruchir Modi Daughter: Aliya Modi Step Daughter: Karima Sagrani
Parents	Krishan Kumar Modi (father) Bina Modi (mother)
Siblings	Brother: Sameer Modi Sister: Charu Modi Bhartia
Known for	Indian Premier League

Lalit Modi – Early Life and Education
Lalit Modi – Career
Lalit Modi – Personal Life
Lalit Modi – Controversies
Lalit Modi – Awards and Recognitions

Lalit Modi – Early Life and Education

Lalit Modi, the influential businessman, was born on November 29, 1963. He is not only the founder but also the first chairman and league commissioner of IPL. He was born into one of the leading families of India and is the elder son of Krishan Kumar Modi.

His grandfather, Gujar Mal Modi, founded the business conglomerate Modi Group, which has interests in chemicals, education, and consumer goods. This entrepreneurial lineage had meant early exposure to the principles of business and leadership for Lalit.

Lalit had spent his formative years in India. Modi joined the Bishop Cotton School in Shimla in the year 1071 and was later admitted to St. Joseph School. He was a charismatic and outspoken man. However, he had his share of school years. Lalit was a rebellious kid and had disciplinary issues, and that’s why he was shifted between institutions.

Lalit moved to the US for his higher education in 1983. He first studied at Pace University in New York for 2 years. Then he took admission at Duke University in North Carolina to complete his education. While abroad pursuing his academic journey, Lalit was able to fully embrace the wild world of global business and sports culture. In management and marketing strategies, he became keen on sports and entertainment. His exposure to cricket administration was set in place for his future innovations.

At Duke, Lalit studied electrical engineering and business administration. His time in the U.S. was transformative, though he didn’t finish his degree. He constructed an influential network of connections and absorbed ideas that would eventually shape his revolutionary way of doing business in the world of cricket.

The first part of Lalit’s life and education are a combination of privilege, difficulties, and exposure to diverse cultures. These experiences formed his entrepreneurial spirit and bold vision.

Lalit Modi – Career

In 1986, Modi returned to India and joined his family business. Moreover, he was announced as the president of the International Tabacco Company Limited, Godfrey Philips India. He was able to show his leadership and management ability within the family business framework.

In February 1992, he became Executive Director, and he was in that position until August 2010. Godfrey Phillips India’s expansion into the market was under his leadership, and this was a huge contribution to the Modi family’s industrial conglomerate.

Modi Entertainment Networks

Modi entered the realm of the media and entertainment industry in 1993 when he founded Modi Entertainment Networks (MEN). Initially, MEN partnered with Walt Disney Pictures under a ten-year joint venture to bring Disney content, including Fashion TV, to Indian audiences.

ESPN secured a 10-year contract worth $975 million, and MEN later became the pan-India distributor for ESPN. Modi collected revenue from cable operators for broadcasting rights to them. However, the relationship with ESPN ended badly after allegations of underreported revenues. MEN lost its association with fashion TV broadcasters as a result of disagreements between its founders. Despite these setbacks, Modi’s ventures led to his introduction to the commercial dynamics of the entertainment industry.

In 2002, Modi dabbled in the lottery business by launching an online lottery platform, ‘Sixo’ in Kerala. This was a short-lived initiative, but it showed that he was able to explore many different business opportunities.

Modi Enterprises

Modi’s career took another turn when he joined Modi Enterprises, the family’s industrial conglomerate, as the president and managing director. His leadership brought stability and growth to the business, and he continued to grow the company all over the spectrum.

Cricket and Political and Administrative Aspirations

Lalit Modi craved for more than business. He pitched his new idea of a 50 over tournament to BCCI in the year 1995. However, the BCCI initially turned down his proposal. Modi desired to change Indian cricket, which gave him a foothold in the BCCI’s structure.

He was elected to the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association, an important body in BCCI, in 1999. But his attempts to wrest control of the association proved futile, and he was later expelled by the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. And Modi’s political connections remained central to his career. In 2004, he was elected as vice president of the Punjab Cricket Association, which was under Inderjit Singh Bindra.

Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) leadership

Modi, with the support of his close friend named Vasundhra Raje, was elected as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan. In 2005, he was elected President of the RCA, defeating incumbent Kishore Rungta by a narrow margin of one vote, after a strategic move to reform the Rajasthan Sports Act.

Modi was the RCA President who undertook major changes at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, spending INR 20 crore on its renovation. Along the way, he also built a state-of-the-art cricket academy and shuffled the financials of the stadium, almost doubling revenue by charging higher rates for corporate box seats and other advertising spots.

BCCI, Indian Premier League (IPL) Role

Modi helped Sharad Pawar, the National Congress Party leader, defeat Jagmohan Dalmiya in the BCCI presidential elections. This benefitted Modi as he was appointed as the vice president of BCCI. Being heavily involved in the commercial side of BCCI, Modi made a revenue of almost $1 billion.

Lalit Modi was the man behind the IPL concept, which was eventually based on Twenty20 cricket. The IPL moves in Africa were engineered by him in the year 2009 after the clash of dates with the Indian general election and Union Minister of Home Affairs. IPL’s worth is now over $12 billion and it has grown into one of the world’s biggest sports leagues.

IPL’s Success

Under Modi’s leadership, the IPL became a huge commercial success, and the game got lots of attention around the globe. But his involvement in the financial dealings behind the league was curious. But Modi’s family and close associates, including his brother-in-law Suresh Chellaram and childhood friend Jay Mehta, reaped financial gain from their stakes in IPL franchises.

Suspension from BCCI

In 2010, Kochi franchises filed a complaint with the BCCI alleging that Lalit Modi had threatened to relinquish the franchise. Lalit Modi was dismissed from the BCCI on 22 counts, including money laundering and betting, a day after the complaint was submitted. The accusations of improper financial practices led to an investigation into his dealings with the IPL. Modi’s suspension was a devastating setback both for his career and his standing in world cricket administration.

Lalit Modi moved to London after the suspension and expanded his family business in Europe. He managed to stay in the international business community despite the legal troubles.

Lalit Modi – Personal Life

Dr. Krishan Kumar Modi was an accomplished industrialist, highly spoken about as the founder of the Modi Enterprises group, active in textiles, agriculture, and chemicals—a business his father actively engaged himself in establishing. His mother, Bina Modi, was also a businesswoman and social worker who came to be known for her notable social projects. Lalit hails from an established family. From a young age, he was exposed to business and luxury.

He has two siblings, a sister and a brother respectively. Both of them individually follow their professional careers. Lalit’s family background instilled entrepreneurial skills in him. He often attributes business thinking to his father who has guided him to that point.

Minal Modi had been a significant part of the life of Lalit Modi before her demise in the year 2018. The couple had two children: Ruchir Modi and Aliya Modi, a son and a daughter. Lalit was very much a part of Minal Modi’s life, and her sudden passing in 2018, after a hard-fought battle with cancer, was devastating for him. Speaking publicly, Lalit has talked about his deep sorrow after her death and how it affected his both personal and professional life.

Although Lalit was born and grew up in India, he now mostly lives in London, United Kingdom. A base from which he controls his worldwide business ventures, his luxurious London residence ranks amongst the best. It’s also a hub for the international elite, which fits the profile of Modi’s taste for high society.

Lalit Modi’s lifestyle is by no means normal in terms of commuting. A luxury that a man with his status has, he is often travelling by private jet. He regularly shares his travels to exotic places from business jets on social media.

Lalit Modi’s lifestyle is one of luxury, art, business, and sports. His social media presence gives you a little taste of this world, with some occasional pictures of his travels, high-profile events, and leisurely activities.

He is impeccable with his dressing, always ushered in tailored suits adorned with some high-end brand clothes. He frequently posts pics of himself from such events as the Monaco Grand Prix and charity galas on his social media. Lalit’s attendance at these venues is usually an international celebrity and high-profile person, signifying a state of the art in the global elite.

Lalit is also an art collector with a special interest in contemporary and modern art. His collection is full of works by prominent artists, and he is often visible at art auctions or exhibitions.

Lalit Modi’s social media presence provides us a window into who he is when he is not on his job. He posts his life on Instagram and Twitter. For example, his Instagram account has photos of him travelling, his family, his luxury cars, and his social circle. He even shares images from high-end events to portray his attendance at elite gatherings.

His posts often feature his business ventures and philanthropy. Let’s take his charitable posting as an example: he’s shared about how he’s helped out with education and healthcare.

Lalit Modi – Controversies

Rivalry with N. Srinivasan

By 2009, tension between Lalit Modi and N. Srinivasan had fuelled rumours of rivalry. Part of Modi’s downfall was because of their differing views on IPL governance.

IPL Expansion Controversy (2009–2010)

Modi managed the bidding process in 2009, and he added two new clubs to the IPL, as well as two new stipulations. The terms required bidders to have a net worth of $1 billion and a $100 million bank guarantee. These critics argued these conditions were in favour of groups like Adani and Videocon. The BCCI changed the ITT after just two bids, removing the net worth clause and lowering the guarantee requirement, ruffling feathers for accusations of bid manipulation.

Kochi Tuskers Kerala Franchise Controversy

Lalit Modi claimed that Sunanda Pushkar, linked to politician Shashi Tharoor, was among them. Pushkar reportedly claims that Modi gave him the shares as a gift to Tharoor. Tharoor said he had only acted in an advisory role and denied involvement.

Lalit Modi – Awards and Recognitions

In 2006, Mike Atherton praised Lalit Modi as the most important cricket administrator in the world.
In 2008, he was ranked among India’s 30 most powerful people in India Today.
Sports Pro named him the best rainmaker in 2008.
He was ranked 16th in the world in sports executives by the Times.
At the Asia Brand Conference (2008), he won Brand Builder of the Year.
He was named the Consumer Award for Transforming Cricket in India by CNBC Awaaz (2008).
In 2008, Modi received Excellence in Innovation at the Frost & Sullivan Growth Excellence Awards.
He was ranked 19th in Business Week’s top global sports figures.
Business Standard named him ‘Game Changer of the Decade’ in 2009.
In 2009, Forbes declared the IPL the ‘hottest sports league in the world’.
In 2010, he was ranked second most powerful person in Indian sports by Sports Illustrated.

FAQ

Why did Lalit Modi leave India?

Lalit Modi left India in 2010 due to allegations of financial irregularities in the IPL and fears of legal action.

What are the companies of Lalit Modi?

Lalit Modi was associated with companies like Modi Enterprises, Godfrey Phillips India, and Modi Entertainment Networks.

What is Lalit Modi’s education?

Lalit Modi studied at Bishop Cotton School, St. Joseph’s College, and Pace University, though he didn’t complete his degree at Pace.

December 14, 2024

GST Shockwave Hits IPL 2024 Marketing Fund for Fantasy Gaming Apps

The recent imposition of a 28% GST on fantasy gaming apps in India has disrupted the industry, particularly during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season.

This unexpected move has hindered marketing efforts and user engagement strategies, posing significant challenges for fantasy gaming platforms during one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year.

The high tax rate imposed by the Centre has caught many gaming operators off guard, compelling them to reassess their strategies and business models.

Previously, these platforms were operating without any tax implications, but since October 2023, the sector has faced a significant financial burden.

The implementation of the 28% Goods and Services Tax (GST) translates to users needing to allocate Rs 28 for every Rs 100 spent on online games, regardless of their skill-based or chance-based nature.

28% GST On Online Gaming | Ashneer Grover Exclusive Interview

Why Is GST a Deterrent?
How Did Fantasy Gaming Begin?
Impact of the GST on Fantasy App Operators
Who Are the Key Players in the Fantasy App Business?
Potential Consequences for Fantasy App Users
Responses From Fantasy App Operators and Industry Experts
Exploring Alternative Revenue Models for Fantasy Apps
Marketing Strategy for Fantasy Apps During Ipl With Gst in Place
The Future of Fantasy Apps in the Wake of the GST
Tips for Fantasy App Operators to Navigate the Changing Landscape
Strategies for Fantasy App Users to Continue Enjoying the Ipl Season
Adapting to the New Reality of Fantasy Apps in the Post-gst Era

Why Is GST a Deterrent?

This tightened taxation policy has raised concerns among gaming companies, particularly regarding its adverse effects on their ability to invest in new game development, hindered cash flows, and constrained business expansion opportunities.

Compounded with the current IPL season, where marketing budgets are already constrained due to the tax implications, gaming companies find themselves facing additional challenges in promoting their platforms and attracting users.

In October 2023, the blanket GST tax was implemented by the Indian government to streamline taxation and bring more transparency to the booming fantasy gaming industry.

According to a report by the All India Gaming Federation, India’s online gaming market has experienced remarkable growth in recent years. It is forecasted to surge from USD 1.6 billion in 2022 to a projected USD 5 billion by 2025. This growth is attributed to the rising penetration of smartphones and the internet across the country.

While the intention behind the move may be noble, its consequences for fantasy app operators and users have yet to be fully realized. Before learning further about the implications, let’s delve into the history and origin of fantasy gaming operations.

How Did Fantasy Gaming Begin?

Fantasy sports involve creating teams of real players from different sports and earning points based on their actual game performance. It started after World War II, initially focusing on golf, then expanding to football and baseball.

With digital advancements, fantasy sports have become a big industry. Applications now support multiple games, including popular franchise-based leagues like the NBA (National Basketball Association), AFL (Australian Football League), NRL (National Rugby League), and IPL (Indian Premier League). Dedicated game lobbies for these tournaments have further expanded the fantasy sports market.

As per a recent study released by Allied Market Research titled ‘Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021–2027,’ the worldwide fantasy sports market was valued at USD 18.6 billion in 2019 and is anticipated to attain USD 48.6 billion by 2027, showcasing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.9% from 2021 to 2027.

Fantasy sports platforms team up with big sports leagues like the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League (IPL), and the Pro Kabaddi League to get more visibility and connect with a larger audience. These partnerships also boost user engagement and participation. However, during IPL 2024, fantasy gaming apps are finding it difficult to maintain their marketing and sponsorship efforts as they grapple with the burden of GST.

Indian Online Gaming Sector from the Year 2019 to 2023 With Forecasted Value for the Year 2025

Impact of the GST on Fantasy App Operators

The rate of GST tax has left fantasy app operators scrambling to assess its impact on their businesses.

The sudden increase in tax rates from zero to 28% has significantly increased their operational costs. This, in turn, may lead to a decrease in revenue and profitability for these platforms.

According to market reports, more than four months following the enforcement of a 28% GST on the sector, gaming companies have witnessed a staggering increase in operating costs, ranging from 4x to 6x. This surge in costs has significantly impacted profitability, leading to diminished or non-existent returns for many players in the industry.

As per Inc42 Weekly Brief, over 500 employees were laid off by Mobile Premier League (MPL), Hike (Rush), and Spartan Poker, with Bengaluru-based Gameskraft‘s Gamezy Fantasy, MPL-backed Striker, Fantok, and Quizzy ceasing operations.

“The new rules will increase our tax burden by as much as 350-400%. As a business, one can prepare for a 50% or even a 100% increase, but adjusting to a sudden increase of this magnitude means we need to make some very tough decisions,” the co-founders said in an email to the employees,” MPL CEO and co-founder Sai Srinivas had said in an internal email to employees.

Who Are the Key Players in the Fantasy App Business?

App Name	Ratings	Type
Big Cash	4.7 Stars	Multi-Gaming RMG
Dream 11	4.5 Stars	Fantasy Gaming
My Team 11	4.3 Stars	Fantasy Gaming
MPL	4.1 Stars	Multi-Gaming RMG
Howzat	4.4 Stars	Fantasy Cricket Gaming
Fan2Play	4.3 Stars	Fantasy Cricket Gaming
Paytm First Games	2.7 Stars	Multi-Gaming RMG
BalleBaazi	3.3 Stars	Multi-Fantasy Gaming
Vision11	2.3 Stars	Fantasy Cricket Gaming
11Wickets	4.1 Stars	Multi-Fantasy Gaming

The higher tax rate means that fantasy app operators may have to make tough decisions such as reducing marketing budgets, cutting down on user acquisition initiatives, laying off employees to streamline costs, or even increasing the fees charged to users.

All of these measures could have a negative impact on the overall user experience and may deter new users from joining these platforms.

Potential Consequences for Fantasy App Users

The retrospective GST tax has the potential to affect fantasy app users in several ways.

Firstly, the increased costs incurred by app operators may be passed on to the users, making participation in fantasy games more expensive. This could lead to a decline in user engagement, as players may be hesitant to spend more money on these platforms.

Additionally, the higher tax rate may also result in reduced prize pools and rewards for winners. Fantasy app operators, burdened by the additional tax liability, may be forced to cut back on offering attractive incentives to users

This could further dampen the enthusiasm of fantasy gaming enthusiasts and discourage them from actively participating in the games.

A media report quoted Aman Gupta, VP of Finance at Witzeal Technologies, a new-age gaming tech company, as saying, “Already, several startups in the gaming sector have ceased operations following the 28% GST adjustment. If the government’s anticipated review post-March fails to yield favorable results, I anticipate dire consequences for numerous gaming companies, including major players.”

With the Lok Sabha polls announced and the government in election mode, it’s unlikely there will be any changes to the GST rate for fantasy gaming before June.

Responses From Fantasy App Operators and Industry Experts

Fantasy app operators have expressed concerns about the GST tax and are seeking solutions. Many are disappointed with the abrupt implementation of the tax and are urging a reconsideration of the tax rate.

Industry experts have also weighed in on the matter, highlighting the need for a balanced approach that takes into account the impact on both operators and users.

With around 71 show-cause notices issued by the government and approximately Rs 1.12 lakh crore at stake, clear regulations and a unified legal approach nationwide are crucial.

Forecasts suggest that revenues from this sector are poised to reach an impressive Rs 29,000 crore.

The industry suggests that a lower tax rate or a phased implementation could help mitigate the negative consequences of the tax and ensure the continued growth of the fantasy gaming industry.

“Our legal advisors have indicated that the current environment creates uncertainties that we cannot ignore. The recent imposition of a 28% GST on the entire realized amount, coupled with high TDS and issues related to payment gateways, has further compounded these challenges. Additionally, the substantial cost of customer conversion has placed a significant strain on our resources,” a social gaming platform, FanTok said on the professional networking site LinkedIn before ceasing its operations temporarily.

Exploring Alternative Revenue Models for Fantasy Apps

To overcome the challenges posed by the retrospective GST tax, fantasy app operators are exploring alternative revenue models.

One such model is the introduction of in-app purchases or subscriptions. By offering additional features or premium content at a nominal cost, operators can generate revenue without solely relying on participation fees.

Another approach is strategic partnerships and sponsorships. Fantasy app operators can collaborate with brands and advertisers to create mutually beneficial campaigns.

This not only diversifies their revenue streams but also enhances the overall user experience by providing engaging and relevant content.

Marketing Strategy for Fantasy Apps During IPL With GST in Place

Opt-In Registration Campaigns

Launch enticing campaigns across digital channels to encourage users to subscribe for SMS and WhatsApp updates, emphasizing real-time updates and exclusive offers.

Timely Updates and Reminders

Send regular updates on IPL matches, trade deadlines, and player news directly to subscribers’ phones to keep them engaged and informed throughout the season.

Exclusive Offers and Discounts

Offer special promotions, such as discounted entry fees and referral bonuses, exclusively to subscribers to incentivize participation and foster loyalty.

Real-Time Player Insights

Deliver instant updates on player performance, injuries, and trade rumors to empower users to manage their fantasy teams effectively.

Interactive Engagement

Engage subscribers with interactive contests, polls, and surveys related to IPL matches, rewarding active participation and valuable feedback.

Responsive Customer Support

Utilize SMS and WhatsApp for quick and convenient customer support, addressing queries and resolving issues promptly to enhance user experience.

Strategic Cross-Promotions

Partner with sports brands and media outlets to amplify reach and promote the fantasy app’s subscription service, leveraging collaborative opportunities during the IPL season.

Implementing these strategies will enable fantasy apps to leverage SMS and WhatsApp marketing effectively, driving user engagement and participation despite the challenges posed by GST implementation.

The Future of Fantasy Apps in the Wake of the GST

The fate of fantasy apps in this Indian Premier League season and beyond hinges on their ability to adapt to the new tax regime.

While the initial shock of the retrospective GST tax may have caused disruptions, operators and users alike are resilient and eager to find viable solutions.

Despite the challenges, the IPL season remains an evergreen golden opportunity for fantasy app operators to attract new users and retain existing ones.

The thrill of the games and the spirit of competition continue to captivate cricket fans, making fantasy apps an enticing platform for engagement and entertainment.

Tips for Fantasy App Operators to Navigate the Changing Landscape

To navigate the changing landscape of the fantasy gaming industry, app operators need to be proactive and strategic.

Here are some tips to help them stay ahead:

Focus on User Retention

Prioritize the needs and preferences of existing users by enhancing their experience through personalized recommendations, rewards, and exclusive content.

Invest in Marketing

Despite the increased tax burden, allocate a portion of the budget to marketing efforts, targeting potential new users and expanding the user base.

Leverage Data Analytics

Utilize advanced analytics tools to gain insights into user behavior, preferences, and trends. This data can be used to refine marketing strategies and improve the overall user experience.

Strategies for Fantasy App Users to Continue Enjoying the IPL Season

For fantasy app users, the retrospective GST tax shouldn’t deter them from enjoying the IPL season and participating in their favorite games.

Here are some strategies to make the most of the season:

Plan your Budget

Set a budget for fantasy gaming and stick to it. Be mindful of the increased costs due to the tax and allocate your funds accordingly.

Explore Alternate Platforms

Consider trying out different fantasy apps to find the one that offers the best value for your money.

Take Advantage of Promotions

Keep an eye out for promotions and special offers from fantasy app operators. They may provide an opportunity to maximize your winnings and offset the increased costs.

Adapting to the New Reality of Fantasy Apps in the Post-GST Era

The retrospective 28% GST tax has undoubtedly posed challenges for fantasy app operators and users alike. However, it is crucial to adapt to the new reality and find innovative solutions to sustain the growth and popularity of fantasy gaming.

While the fate of fantasy apps in this IPL season remains uncertain, one thing is clear – the spirit of competition and the love for cricket will continue to drive users towards these platforms.

By embracing change, exploring alternative revenue models, and prioritizing user experience, fantasy app operators can weather the storm and emerge stronger than ever.

“ With Dream11 already having a big piece of the pie, smaller companies might feel the heat. This could lead to a pure monopoly as Dream11 grows even bigger, giving them more control over platform costs. If the decision to remove GST is made, Dream11 could emerge as the eventual winner,” a cricket enthusiast posted on networking site LinkedIn.

And for users, the thrill of creating virtual teams and competing against friends and fellow cricket enthusiasts will keep the excitement alive, despite the financial implications of the GST tax.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the decision by India’s GST Council to levy a 28% GST on online gaming has stirred debate and apprehension among industry professionals.

While the government’s intention to prevent gambling is understood, industry stakeholders fear catastrophic repercussions, including job losses, restrictions on foreign investment, and a potential shift towards illegal offshore platforms.

The future of the online gaming sector hangs in the balance, with the industry pleading for reconsideration of the high tax rate. Only time will reveal whether the government will heed these concerns and revisit its decision, ensuring a more balanced approach that fosters both regulatory compliance and industry growth

So, as the IPL season unfolds, let us embrace this new reality and continue to enjoy the magic of fantasy apps, creating unforgettable moments and memories that will last a lifetime.

FAQs

What are the top fantasy apps in India?

The top fantasy apps in India include Dream11, MPL (Mobile Premier League), MyTeam11, BalleBaazi, and FanFight, among others.

How popular are these fantasy apps among users?

These fantasy apps boast millions of users and have a significant presence in the Indian gaming market. Dream11, in particular, has emerged as a market leader and official partner of major sports leagues like IPL.

What types of games do these fantasy apps offer?

These apps primarily focus on cricket, but they also offer fantasy leagues for other sports such as football, basketball, kabaddi, and more. Users can create virtual teams of real players and earn points based on their performance in actual matches.

How do these apps generate revenue?

These apps generate revenue through various channels, including entry fees charged for participating in fantasy leagues, advertising, sponsorships, in-app purchases for premium features, and partnerships with sports leagues and brands.

Are these apps legal in India?

Yes, fantasy sports apps operate legally in India under the exemption provided for games of skill in state gambling laws. However, they must comply with certain regulations and guidelines set by regulatory authorities to ensure fair play and responsible gaming practices.

March 26, 2024

Hotstar Business From IPL – An Analysis of Its Huge Growth in Short Span
How in the world does a mobile TV app make money out of televised Indian cricket? Hotstar, that’s how. Hotstar, the online streaming service owned by Star India, has become the official broadcaster of IPL matches in India. The sports content distribution giant’s leap into the IPL broadcasting business is a big step toward Hotstar’s quest to create a digital cricket viewing experience beyond anything available in the market today. To understand how Hotstar is making money out of the Indian Premier League, we shall look closely at their business model, especially their growth story in such a short period.

Hotstar Business Model
Reason For the Huge Success of Hotstar
Hotstar Business Model

Hotstar Revenue Sources

The Hotstar business model revolves around three main revenue streams: ads, subscriptions, and other revenue streams.

Advertising on Hotstar

Hotstar generates the bulk of its revenues through advertising. The company has been improving its advertising capabilities to attract more advertisers and increase ad spending. The company recently launched Hotstar Premium, allowing advertisers to run ads during live broadcasts such as cricket matches or other sports events at specific times.

70% of the revenue comes from advertisers wanting to advertise on a cricket platform during IPL.

Subscription Model

Hotstar offers two types of subscriptions – monthly or annual – both priced at Rs 199 per month (approximately $2). Hotstar competes directly with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video with this subscription model. They offer similar pricing for their services in India (although both companies have yet to launch here). This means that Hotstar needs to ensure its content offering is sufficiently attractive for consumers to choose it over competitors.

Reason For the Huge Success of Hotstar

Hotstar Unique Viewers Growth

Hotstar Viewer Engagement

Hotstar is experimenting with viewer engagement options that let you predict the next scores and win prizes.

Hotstar, India’s premier destination for cricket, is experimenting with viewer engagement options that let you predict the next scores and win prizes.

The idea is simple: if you’re watching a match and want to get involved in predicting what happens next, now you can. You’ll be given a chance to predict the outcome of certain events within a match, like the next batsman to score or the next bowler to bowl. If your prediction is correct, you’ll earn points that can then be redeemed for cash prizes!

In some cases, viewers can even select their prize: one lucky winner will get a free subscription to their favorite channel on Hotstar! It’s an exciting new way for viewers to interact with their favorite content—and we’re excited to see how it goes.

The Rise in Mobile Internet Usage

The rise in mobile internet usage has boosted Hotstar.

The recent IPL season was the most-watched ever, with Hotstar’s live and catch-up viewing contributing to a total of 2.3 billion minutes consumed during the tournament. The platform also saw a whopping 300% growth in time spent on its app during the league compared to the previous year.

More than 269 million viewers spent around 60.6 billion minutes of live IPL streaming in the first week of 2020-21 IPL edition.

IPL is just one part of what makes up Hotstar’s programming slate; it also hosts content from other leagues like La Liga, Bundesliga and Premier League as well as live sports events like Wimbledon.

Hotstar Subscription Services

Hotstar Subscribers Worldwide

Hotstar has done a great job converting viewers to subscribers by focusing on India’s unique viewing patterns (viewers consume content on their phones).

They have also made it pretty easy for viewers to explore the offerings of its subscription services. The site’s homepage is a huge curated list of popular shows, which is an easy way to find something new.

Users can also browse the site by genre, which helps them narrow down their options further. The user interface (UI) is simple and clean, making it easy to navigate the website. It also loads quickly and does not overwhelm users with too many options.

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Hotstar – IPL Global Audience

IPL has a global audience, so the stakes are high here.

Hotstar, owned by the same parent company as IPL, had to work hard to keep up with demand during this cricket season. But they did it! As a result, Hotstar saw an 82% increase in signups over the 2020-2021 IPL season. They also saw an average of 40 million viewers per match (a 63% increase over the 2020-2021 IPL edition).

It’s not surprising that Hotstar was able to handle the increased traffic—they’ve been working on their infrastructure since 2016 when they launched their streaming app and platform. Since then, they’ve focused on building out their capabilities and improving their delivery mechanism to ensure that they can continue to deliver high-quality content at scale.

Recently Hotstar expand its reach into new territories such as Sri Lanka and Afghanistan—it now offers 12 languages across 159 countries!

Hotstar Advertising on Traditional Media

Traditional media has also started using Hotstar advertising media like Print, Outdoor, and Radio.

Hotstar has generated better returns for advertisers than traditional media by providing them with a platform that can be tracked with precision. The focus is on building brands rather than just promoting products.

This move was widely criticized by traditional media outlets, who felt that they were losing out on revenue due to the switch to digital platforms. However, this move has proven to be very beneficial for Hotstar: they have seen an increase in their user base by over 30% since they won the IPL streaming rights. They are also now able to provide advertisers with a more diverse range of options when it comes to advertising on their platform.

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Hotstar Personalized Ads

Hotstar is also experimenting with personalized ads.

Hotstar has a lot of things going for it. It’s the only place to watch IPL matches in India, and their new personalized ads are a big hit with fans.

The company is also experimenting with personalized ads while IPL streaming to see if they can get people to buy products they see on TV during matches.

Hotstar is looking at making the most of its fan base by offering them more than just cricket. They want to make it easy for fans to watch what they want to catch up on the latest shows and movies.

Conclusion

Trillion-dollar opportunity lies in cricket in India, and Hotstar is a frontrunner when it comes to grabbing these opportunities.

A cricket-crazy country like India has a massive market for cricket-related content. Hotstar, who has partnered with one of the best teams in the world ( Indian Cricket Team) and IPL (Indian Premier League), is enjoying this benefit. A smart combination of live streaming, cricket highlights, post-game match commentaries, star interviews, and an online cricket merchandise shop has propelled it to be the most downloaded app from the play store in India.

FAQs

How much did Hotstar earn from IPL 2022?

Hotstar is speculated to have generated ad revenue of around $128 Million from IPL 2022.

What is the revenue of Hotstar?

The Revenue of Hotstar was recorded at $215 in December 2021.

How much Hotstar subscribers increased during IPL?

Disney+Hotstar paid subscribers crossed over 50 Million during IPL.

How much Hotstar paid for IPL broadcasting rights?

BCCI has given IPL Media rights to Hotstar for $4234 million.
May 31, 2022
List of Brands Endorsed By Umesh Yadav

Cricket is considered as a religion in India, while the cricketers are seen as their demigods. Many companies nowadays prefer sportspeople or athletes over actors and actress to endorse their brands. One cricketer that is upcoming in the advertising world is Umesh Yadav. Umesh Yadav is a popular Indian cricketer that plays for teams such as Vidarbha cricket, Indian National team and Indian Premier League (IPL) teams.

Umesh is the country’s fastest bowler as his estimates top speed is over 152.5 km/h. Umesh Yadav initially entered cricket as a right-arm fast-medium bowler, but later was known to be an all-rounder in the Indian Cricket team. The fast bowler first made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe in 2010. In the 2015 ICC world cup, Yadav became the highest wicket-taker for India and third highest overall.

One of best performance by him was in the semi-finals of Ranji Trophy in 2019 against Kerala’s team. Umesh Yadav has played under IPL teams such as Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and even Royal Challengers Bangalore. After his powerful performances in the 2018 IPL, he was named in ESPNcricinfo’s.

So far, his best performance was against Australia and New Zealand in the 2015 Cricket World Cup. One fun fact about Yadav is that he was offered a job of being an officer in the Reserve Bank of India after becoming popular, this fulfilled his father dream of getting a government job. Because of his many achievements Yadav has earned a top spot in terms of ranking and has become one of the richest cricketers in the world.

The net worth of Umesh Yadav is estimated to be over $8 million in 2021. The cricketer is known to charge over Rs 20 to Rs 30 lakhs per endorsements deals. The brands endorsed by Umesh Yadav so far are GoodGamer, Manyavar, Nagpur’s Swachhata mission, Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

GoodGamer
Nagpur Swachhata Mission
Manyavar
Reserve Bank of India
Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the brands endorsed by Umesh Yadav

GoodGamer

Good Gamer Corp is a fantasy gaming and technology company that has its headquarters in Vancouver, Canada, while it has a subsidiary known as Good Gamer India Private Limited located in Bengaluru, Karnataka. GoodGamer is an upcoming daily sport and esport fantasy and real money gaming app that offer a huge variety of skill-based games.

The target audience of the company are the cricket fans, hardcore esport gamers, and even casual mobile gamers. With GoodGamers users can build their own team for different sports, play with friends, enter tournaments and win real prize money. GoodGamer is the first Indian fantasy gaming company to offer several unique features like prop fantasy contests, player injury reports, player injury alerts, an AI based lineup optimizer, etc.

GoodGamer signed the bowlers Umesh Yadav and Kuldeep Yadav as the endorsers for the company. The cricketers have appeared in the ad campaigns of GoodGamers and were chosen by the company in order to gain access to cricket fans amongst India’s 350 million mobile gamers.

Nagpur Swachhata Mission

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is one of the most popular countrywide campaign that was started by the Government of India and launched by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014. The main mission of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is to eradicate open defecation, manual scavenging, bringing awareness and improving solid waste management.

The first phase of Swachh Bharat lasted till 2019 and focused on generating awareness regarding sanitation practices. While the second phase from 2020 to 2025 will focus on sustaining the open defecation free status and improving the management of solid and liquid waste. In the early years of his cricket career, Umesh Yadav became the face of the Nagpur Swachhata Mission.

The organisation signed Umesh Yadav to be the brand ambassador for the NMC’s cleanliness campaign. According to the deal the cricketers will join in the NMC’s activities under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Commenting on the association Umesh Yadav said that it is great to be part of a lovely campaign, as he is proud Nagpurian and so wants to motivate youngsters and other citizens to make our city clean.

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Manyavar

Manyavar is one of the most popular and trusted ethnic fashion brands in India. The company was originally started by Ravi Modi in 1999 and was only focused on making men’s ethnic wear. The company is now known for wedding wear, festive wear and fusion wear for men women and children.

Manyavar currently has over 600 stores across in over 200 cities including more than 120 flagship stores and over 13 international stores in countries UAE and USA. It also has more than 4000 employees around the world. Manyavar has so far, many celebrity brand ambassador such as Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma, Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Amitabh Bachchan, etc.

The company also signed Umesh Yadav as an endorser for the #Manyavarwalidiwaali campaign in 2018. The cricketer can be seen having a conversation with a kid on his plan for Diwali while wearing a Manyavar kurta.

Reserve Bank of India

Reserve Bank of India is the country central bank and the regulatory body under the Ministry of Finance. This bank is responsible for issuing and supplying the Indian Rupee and also regulating the Indian banking system. RBI promotes economic development and was originally started its operations in 1935 under the Reserve Bank of India Act. It then was nationalized after India got its independence in 1949.

RBI signed cricketers such as K.L. Rahul, Umesh Yadav, Shabaz Nadeem, Ishan Kishan, Deepak Hooda and Dhruv Shorey to endorse and spread awareness about topics like banking for senior citizen, savings account and also banking ombudsmen in 2019.

These ad campaigns featuring cricketers aims on educating people on messages such as basic savings bank accounts, steps to avoid falling prey to fictitious emails, ensuring safety in digital financial transactions, etc.

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Conclusion

Umesh Yadav is one of the cricketers behind the many big victories that India has achieved in recent times. Because of his outstanding performances till date the bowler is also called as U Yadavi by his fans and friends. Bowlers is not a popular option for brand endorsements but with bowlers like Umesh Yadav have started endorsing big brands according to their preferences. In the coming times, many bowlers will be seen as the brand ambassadors of brands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Umesh Yadav?

Umesh Yadav is a popular Indian cricketer that plays for teams such as Vidarbha cricket, Indian National team and Indian Premier League (IPL) teams.

What is the net worth of Umesh Yadav?

The net of Umesh Yadav is estimated to be over $8 million in 2021.

How much does Umesh Yadav charge for brand endorsements?

The cricketer is known to charge over Rs 20 to Rs 30 lakhs per endorsements deals.

What are the brands endorsed by Umesh Yadav?

The brands endorsed by Umesh Yadav so far are GoodGamer, Manyavar, Nagpur’s Swachhata mission, Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

May 8, 2022

Tag: IPL

DLF: 2008-12

Pepsi: 2013-15

Vivo: 2016-17

Vivo: 2018-19

Dream11: 2020

Vivo: 2021

Tata Group: 2022-23

Tata Group: 2024-28

FAQs

Who have the IPL title sponsors been over the years?

Why did Pepsi have to step down as the title sponsor of IPL in 2015?

How much does it cost to sponsor an IPL team?

Which was the first company to sponsor IPL?

Which year was DLF title sponsor of IPL?

Who was the IPL 2008 sponsor?

What is the IPL title sponsors list from 2008 to 2023?

What is the Vivo IPL sponsorship amount?

What is IPL sponsors 2025 price?

TATA

My11Circle

AngelOne

Rupay

Star Sports

Jio Cinema

CEAT

Wonder Cement

Campa Cola

FAQs

What is the playing format of IPL?

Where are the IPL sponsors advertising?

Indian Premier League (IPL)

Key Features

Contracts of Players in IPL

Structure of Contract

Compensation for IPL players

Compensation Overview

Recent Auction Updates

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)

Key Functions

BCCI Contracts

Structure of Contract

Compensation Overview

Recent Changes

Conclusion

FAQs

What is BCCI?

What is IPL?

What is the difference between IPL salary and BCCI contract fee for cricket players?

1. Media Rights

2. Ticket Sales/Gate Revenue

3. Merchandising

4. Selling Stake

5. Sponsorship

6. Prize Money

7. Brand Value

8. Unlisted Shares

9. Investments in IPL

10. OTT Platforms

11. Franchise Rights

Conclusion

FAQs

What is the brand value of IPL 2024?

How IPL team owners earn money?

What is IPL merchandise?

What is the IPL business model?

Which is the oldest IPL team?

Which is the No.1 successful team in IPL?

What is IPL team owner income per match?

How much IPL winning team owners make money?

How IPL teams earn money?

How do IPL franchises make money?

Cricbuzz Marketing – Video Advertising

Cricbuzz Marketing – Social Media Platforms

Cricbuzz Marketing – Commentary

Cricbuzz Marketing – Spicy Pitch

Cricbuzz Marketing – IPL Song

Conclusion

FAQs

Who is CEO of Cricbuzz?