 "The Indian Premier League has been a major contributor towards the BCCI's operating revenue since its inception in 2008. Image: Reuters/AFP")
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the richest and the most powerful cricket body in the world, faces a worrying situation with the Indian Premier League (IPL)’s ecosystem value reportedly taking a hit over the course of the 2024 and 2025 editions.
The IPL has revolutionised the sport since its inception in 2008, transforming India into a cricketing superpower that calls the shots in the sport at present and is without a doubt the jewel in the BCCI’s crown.
However, a report released by D&P Advisory on Wednesday states that the world’s biggest and richest T20 league suffered a drop of nearly 8 per cent between the 2024 and the 2025 editions as far as its ecosystem value is concerned.
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The report – titled Beyond 22 Yards – ‘The Power of Platforms, The Price of Regulation’ – further reveals that the league has witnessed a drop in its value for a second consecutive year, hitting a peak in the 16th edition in 2023.
Online Gaming Bill to blame for drop in IPL’s valuation
And a major reason behind this drop in valuation is the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 – which had recently been passed in the Lok Sabha and led to fantasy gaming app Dream11 parting ways with the BCCI as the Indian cricket team’s lead sponsor in August.
Besides the BCCI, Dream11 and fellow fantasy gaming platform My11Circle had also served as key sponsors in the IPL, with the former being associated with a majority of the franchises.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsWhile the league has grown by leaps and bounds since its inaugural season in 2008, from being valued at Rs 19,500 crore in Season 1 to Rs 76,100 crore – a four-fold growth – in the latest season. However, a comparison with the corresponding number for the 2023 edition – Rs 92,500 crore – reveals a 17.73 per cent drop in its ecosystem value.
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The IPL’s ecosystem value forms a major component of the BCCI’s annual operating revenue – which stood at Rs 1000.40 crore in 2008 but grew to Rs 9,742 crore last year. The loss in the league’s valuation therefore is likely to create more room in the BCCI’s coffers.