Cricket has traditionally been a sport where national pride and international rivalries dictated its structure. Unlike sports such as football and basketball, where club-based franchise leagues have long been popular, cricket remained centered around bilateral and multinational tournaments. That changed with the advent of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Since its inception in 2008, the IPL has not only redefined the business model of cricket but also transformed its global standing, drawing comparisons with the most lucrative sporting leagues in the world. 

As the IPL continues to grow in financial and sporting stature, its influence extends beyond Indian borders, shaping international cricket schedules, player commitments, and the governance of the game. While its success has inspired the creation of similar leagues worldwide, concerns remain over its increasing control over cricket’s ecosystem. 

Shift from National Teams to a Club-Based Model** 

or decades, international cricket was the pinnacle of the sport, with players aspiring to represent their countries at Test matches, One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and World Cups. Domestic cricket existed, but largely as a feeder system for national teams rather than as a commercially viable spectacle. The cricketing world saw little resemblance to leagues like the English Premier League or the National Basketball Association, where club franchises generated immense revenue and global followings. 

The IPL changed this dynamic by introducing a city-based franchise system that merged entertainment with high-quality cricket. Unlike traditional domestic tournaments, it attracted international stars, created intense fan rivalries, and delivered a commercially appealing product. With shorter, high-paced matches in the T20 format, the league proved irresistible to broadcasters, sponsors, and investors. The IPL’s success demonstrated that cricket could thrive beyond international contests, paving the way for franchise cricket to become a dominant force in the sport. 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the governing body behind the IPL, holds an unparalleled financial advantage in global cricket. The IPL generates significant revenue, allowing the BCCI to wield tremendous influence over the International Cricket Council (ICC) and other national boards. The league’s economic dominance has led to an unbalanced revenue distribution model, where India’s cricketing body commands a far larger share of the global earnings than any other nation. 

As the primary driver of cricket’s financial ecosystem, the IPL often overshadows other leagues, forcing cricket boards worldwide to strategize around it. Many smaller cricketing nations struggle to compete with the financial pull of the IPL, leading to concerns about economic disparities and the long-term impact on competitive balance. While the financial success of the league benefits Indian cricket immensely, it also raises questions about the sustainability of international cricket in its traditional form. 

A Billion-Dollar Brand with Unmatched Media Rights 

The IPL has witnessed exponential growth in its brand valuation, rising from $2 billion in 2009 to a staggering $12 billion in 2024. Such an increase is attributed to strategic marketing, star-studded lineups, and a relentless expansion of its commercial avenues. With each passing season, the league’s financial appeal attracts more investors, ensuring that its valuation continues to climb. 

A crucial factor behind this growth has been the league’s lucrative media rights deals. The broadcasting rights for the IPL from 2023 to 2027 were sold for $6.2 billion, making it one of the most expensive sports properties in the world. On a per-match basis, IPL games command some of the highest broadcasting rates, rivaling or even surpassing some of the biggest leagues in football and American sports. This highlights not only the league’s profitability but also its ability to sustain long-term financial momentum. 

The IPL’s success has sparked a revolution in franchise cricket, inspiring several nations to launch their own T20 leagues. Australia’s Big Bash League, England’s The Hundred, South Africa’s SA20, and the Caribbean Premier League are all attempts to replicate the IPL’s model. More recently, franchise leagues have expanded beyond traditional cricket-playing nations, with tournaments like the UAE’s International League T20 and the USA’s Major League Cricket gaining traction. 

One of the most notable trends in this expansion is the increasing involvement of IPL franchise owners in foreign leagues. Many IPL team owners now hold stakes in multiple leagues, establishing a global network of teams under the same brand. This not only strengthens their financial reach but also creates interconnected scouting and talent development systems. However, such dominance raises concerns over a monopoly on talent, potentially stifling independent leagues from growing organically. 

A Disrupted International Calendar 

The IPL’s success has come at a cost to international cricket scheduling. The league enjoys an exclusive window from late March to May, during which most international cricket comes to a halt. While this benefits the IPL by ensuring the availability of top global players, it also disrupts bilateral series and other international commitments. 

Competing T20 leagues face scheduling challenges, as they must work around the IPL’s timeframe. In some cases, leagues like the Pakistan Super League (PSL) have been forced to adjust their dates to avoid a direct clash. With players prioritizing the IPL over international duties due to financial incentives, cricket boards worldwide find themselves struggling to maintain control over their talent pools. 

Cricketers Torn Between National Duty and IPL Contracts 

The financial allure of the IPL has reshaped the way players approach their careers. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) enforces a strict policy that prevents Indian players from participating in overseas T20 leagues, keeping their talent pool exclusive to the IPL. However, foreign players often prioritize IPL contracts over national commitments, leading to a reshuffling of team selections in bilateral series. 

This has resulted in instances where players leave their national teams or domestic leagues mid-season to fulfill IPL obligations. Cricket boards face a dilemma in balancing financial incentives with national pride, as many stars now view the IPL as a more lucrative and career-defining opportunity than representing their countries. 

As IPL franchise owners continue to expand into other leagues, concerns are growing over the monopolization of cricket. The model followed in South Africa’s SA20 and England’s The Hundred reflects a shift toward corporate control, where a handful of business entities dictate the landscape of franchise cricket. 

Critics argue that this could stifle competition and limit opportunities for independent teams to thrive. If a select group of franchises owns teams across multiple leagues, player mobility, revenue distribution, and competitive balance could become heavily skewed in favor of these powerhouses. While private investment has undeniably fueled cricket’s financial growth, it also raises ethical concerns about the integrity of the sport. 

The growing dominance of franchise cricket suggests a future where club-based competitions could overshadow international tournaments. While the World Cups and Test matches still hold prestige, their relevance may diminish if the franchise model continues to expand unchecked. The increasing preference of players, broadcasters, and investors for franchise cricket signals a shift in the traditional hierarchy of the sport. 

With the IPL at the forefront of this transformation, calls for better governance, player welfare policies, and revenue-sharing models are gaining traction. Cricket administrators must find a balance between commercial interests and the sport’s heritage to ensure that international cricket does not become secondary to the franchise model. The road ahead remains uncertain, but one thing is clear—the IPL has forever changed the landscape of cricket, and its impact will continue to shape the sport for years to come.

(Adapted from reuters.com)