What's new

What is the reason behind the IPL Valuation dip?

BouncerGuy

BouncerGuy

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Aug 29, 2023
Runs
44,588
The Indian Premier League India (IPL), once celebrated for its unstoppable commercial rise, has seen its valuation drop for the second consecutive year — now standing at $8.8 billion (₹76,100 crore) in 2025, down from $9.9 billion (₹82,700 crore) in 2024 and a peak of $11.2 billion (₹92,500 crore) in 2023.

While fan engagement and viewership remain strong, several key factors are reshaping its business dynamics:

• Consolidation of media rights (Disney Star & Viacom18 merger) reduced competitive bidding.

• Ban on real-money gaming (RMG) sponsorships removed one of the league’s biggest revenue contributors.

•Market correction after years of exponential growth — the valuation cycle is stabilizing.

•Advertising yields under pressure as high-spending categories pull back.

•Regulatory and policy uncertainty adding caution to investor sentiment.

Despite these challenges, the IPL remains one of the world’s most powerful sports properties — now transitioning from rapid expansion to sustainable monetization and strategic innovation.

Cricket’s business model is evolving — and the IPL continues to set benchmarks for global sports leagues.

www.linkedin.com

#ipl #sportsbusiness #cricket #sportsmarketing #sponsorship #mediarights #valuation #sportsmanagement | Prashant Kumar

📉 IPL Valuation Sees a Dip — What’s Driving the Decline? The Indian Premier League India (IPL), once celebrated for its unstoppable commercial rise, has seen its valuation drop for the second consecutive year — now standing at $8.8 billion (₹76,100 crore) in 2025, down from $9.9 billion...
www.linkedin.com www.linkedin.com
 
As an Indian fan, I don't care. These are the things that should worry who have a skin in the game. We ordinary fans don't.
 
Hitman said:
For Pakistani fans? Yes, it is. Why would a bunch of fans follow a league that does not even feature any players from their country. And specially when they have a league of their own.​
Click to expand...
I suspect it's becoming boring for all non indian fans
 
You read it here first: Cricket is in long-term decline in India. Yes, it will still be the #1 market for the obvious reason, but the interest has been on a gradual downward slope ever since the 2011 World Cup win.
 
Nikhil_cric said:
For the premier league ? Lack of competitive bidding, less interest from the younger generation etc.

Since 2016/17, the premier league has lost 765 million pounds in broadcasting revenue, taking inflation into account, from what I remember reading
Click to expand...
Interesting I'll look out for the article. I got the impression it was growing and growing.
 
@Nikhil_cric as per cricbuzz a paragraph for the stake in rcb sale seems really interesting.

There is also a view that the valuation will inevitably rise after JioStar announced that its subscriber base has expanded beyond 500 million. If it charged INR 100 per month for IPL, the company would earn about INR 50 billion (roughly INR 5000 crore) each month. Given that the IPL is expected to span four months - from March to June - and feature 96 scheduled games, the subscription revenue alone could amount to nearly INR 20,000 crore or USD 2.3 billion over the tournament's duration in one season.


So Reliance may bag good profits but ipl valuation may not increase exponentially. I guess profits will be in linear mode. At the end, no one can beat Jio's massive subscription i believe .It may be beaten by only Facebook/ Amazon/Netflix.
 
DeadlyVenom said:
Interesting I'll look out for the article. I got the impression it was growing and growing.
Click to expand...
The overseas rights are still growing but it's declining in the domestic market and even the overseas rights are expected to plateau in near future. Article is behind a paywall.
 
Maybe other sports are now getting a share of the attention - which is also good
 
RidiculousMan said:
I suspect it's becoming boring for all non indian fans
Click to expand...
I seriously doubt there is/was any significant non Indian interest to begin with. Why would there be? IPL is for the Indian market and the expats in US, UK. Maybe for the few in Aus, NZ, SA and the ME.
 
People are more interested in seeing cat and baby videos on youtube.
 
Banning of betting apps player a huge role along with JIO monopoly.

In India, satellite (TV) revenues have come down as OTT revenues have taken over. This trend is the same for even movies too and it will only increase.

So, valuations might get adjusted. Just like any company, valuations might skyrocket in growth phase but will plateau eventually to a stable growth rate of 5-6% annually which is the long-term GDP growth rate.

Infact, if a competitor league like Test20 emerges, IPL may see a dip too.

And the ad-revenues are driven by consumer market spending. Due to weak global sentiments, FMCG and apparel sales haven seen much of a growth in India and hence marketing budgets were constrainer. I think, it will revive in the next 2-3 years and valuations might see positive adjustments in future.
 
One of the reason could be Shortage of international superstars right now in IPL.

ABD alone probably added 1 billion in IPL valuation. He’s the Greatest player in IPL history with most M.O.M despite being a middle order batsmen.
 
IPL has kinda peaked. It has reached out to all possible audiences. There is no new market within India to address.

There is also a fatigue factor. This non stop cricket cycle gets boring. India is playing whole year. No off season. Few days after 2024 World T20 , India was playing in Zimbabwe. Its getting a bit jaded now. Case of overkill. BCCI should start looking for a 3 month off season.

Last but not the least - ban on betting & gaming apps. That wud be direct revenue loss
 
Varun said:
You read it here first: Cricket is in long-term decline in India. Yes, it will still be the #1 market for the obvious reason, but the interest has been on a gradual downward slope ever since the 2011 World Cup win.
Click to expand...
Lots of options for millenials & Gen Z. U have EPL , La Liga , Formula one , tennis , NBA , Amazon Prime , Netflix etc ...

Cricket is slowly losing its hold ( same as Bollywood ) amongst the youth
 
Now there is no charm in IPL, a decade back it was more entertainment and cricket than business, now its mainly business who cares about cricket
 
among my acquaintances nobody watches IPL, except Indians

i suspect that the value was inflated to begin with and it might have been money laundering platform


as the US relationship with India struggles, the implications will not only be noticed at H1B visa/individual level but also corporate level

these valuations are politically motivated too as the recent valuation of Verdivis Free Press has proven
 
tiger_khan said:
among my acquaintances nobody watches IPL, except Indians

i suspect that the value was inflated to begin with and it might have been money laundering platform


as the US relationship with India struggles, the implications will not only be noticed at H1B visa/individual level but also corporate level

these valuations are politically motivated too as the recent valuation of Verdivis Free Press has proven
Click to expand...
* Bari Weis's Free Press
 
Possible reason:- IPL's valuation dropped 21% to $8.8B in 2025 due to India's Online Gaming Bill banning real-money gaming ads & sponsorships, a major revenue hit, and media rights consolidation reducing bidding wars. Despite this, IPL remains a global sports giant.
 
IPL have damaged cricket. So, I am glad IPL's valuation is dipping. :inti

Would be nice if IPL gets dissolved permanently.
 
The IPL will keep growing as the Indian economy keeps growing. So 3-4 decades more.

And no, Paksitanis still won't be allowed.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
tiger_khan said:
among my acquaintances nobody watches IPL, except Indians

i suspect that the value was inflated to begin with and it might have been money laundering platform


as the US relationship with India struggles, the implications will not only be noticed at H1B visa/individual level but also corporate level

these valuations are politically motivated too as the recent valuation of Verdivis Free Press has proven
Click to expand...
Indians are the vast majority of the cricket watching population and contribute 80-90% of revenues. the rest of the world does not matter, no matter how much Pakistanis would like it to be so.
 
~20% drop is massive drop most likely due to market correction as peak valuation was already reached. Also, no one one watches cable/satellite channels anymore. Not everyone wants to watch sports behind paywall over OTT.

Sports are anyway too overvalued in general.
 
If this is the case with IPL, I shudder to think what state the other leagues are in.

Though I would say that this is just market forces at play. Adjustments will keep happening. Valuations go up, come down, go up again etc. So cannot take one particular point in time. As with anything, have to look at the broader picture. Long term over many years. Is there growth? What do the next 5, 10 years look like?

It depends on the Indian economy. Which seems to be chugging along. Population with good amount of disposable income. This bodes well for IPL. Though they do have to compete for eyeballs with various other forms of entertainment. But that is good as well. Will make the IPL people work to compete. Which will result in a better product. Win for the consumer.

I do see the IPL getting bigger. Expansion in the next 5-7 years will happen. Likely will take up more time of the cricket calendar. Which of course will shrink internationals. Which is the downside to this.

On the whole IPL is a success and here to stay for the long term.
 
U$ofA said:
If this is the case with IPL, I shudder to think what state the other leagues are in.

Though I would say that this is just market forces at play. Adjustments will keep happening. Valuations go up, come down, go up again etc. So cannot take one particular point in time. As with anything, have to look at the broader picture. Long term over many years. Is there growth? What do the next 5, 10 years look like?

It depends on the Indian economy. Which seems to be chugging along. Population with good amount of disposable income. This bodes well for IPL. Though they do have to compete for eyeballs with various other forms of entertainment. But that is good as well. Will make the IPL people work to compete. Which will result in a better product. Win for the consumer.

I do see the IPL getting bigger. Expansion in the next 5-7 years will happen. Likely will take up more time of the cricket calendar. Which of course will shrink internationals. Which is the downside to this.

On the whole IPL is a success and here to stay for the long term.
Click to expand...
IPL is not reaching its peak for a long long time if ever.

Even NBA etc chug along and those are mature first world economies with low growth.
 
saimayubera said:
Indians are the vast majority of the cricket watching population and contribute 80-90% of revenues. the rest of the world does not matter, no matter how much Pakistanis would like it to be so.
Click to expand...
Actually the rest of the world matters, that's why the foreign players are brought by the IPL

India does not have enough talent of its own to attract viewers

If India had enough talent if its own, it wouldn't need the IPL, it's domestic cricket alone would be enough.

India is nothing on its own when it comes to cricket

It's not like the US in Basketball, American Football, Baseball, etc. It's not self-sufficient.
 
BDfanforever said:
~20% drop is massive drop most likely due to market correction as peak valuation was already reached. Also, no one one watches cable/satellite channels anymore. Not everyone wants to watch sports behind paywall over OTT.

Sports are anyway too overvalued in general.
Click to expand...
That's is true, I do think NFL is an exception because of how tight they have kept the league, they are the only ones that can call the shots and with fewer teams it keeps up the interest.
The evaluation of Dallas cowboys is insane considering Texas isn't even the no1. economy in USA, but i do think its over evaluated as well considering they haven't won a super bowl in 30 years.
 
It's too long. 6 weeks is the max to be hooked on to a tournament.
 
• Ban on real-money gaming (RMG) sponsorships removed one of the league’s biggest revenue contributors.

Lol why would they take this off, it was contributing so much, even technically , Indian regulation is annoying as hell.
 
Savak said:
It's too long. 6 weeks is the max to be hooked on to a tournament.
Click to expand...
Viewership and engagement doesn't seem to be the issue.. the points in the post are pretty valid, also stand alone valuation of IPL is rising:

www.sportspro.com

IPL valuation leaps 12.9% to US$18.5bn - SportsPro

Newly crowned IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru have highest brand value of any franchise at US$269 million.
www.sportspro.com www.sportspro.com

last year's RCB final was the most watched game.
 
IPL is expanding its matches and making it 2 2-month event, but its evaluation is dipping still...

maybe try to do the opposite instead and make it a bit short instead of making is longer and boring.
 
Savak said:
It's too long. 6 weeks is the max to be hooked on to a tournament.
Click to expand...

BouncerGuy said:
IPL is expanding its matches and making it 2 2-month event, but its evaluation is dipping still...

maybe try to do the opposite instead and make it a bit short instead of making is longer and boring.
Click to expand...
Would be interesting to see the streaming, tv numbers. That will give a clear picture of how much demand, following there is.

I am sure RCB's championship had the same amount of following as Ind. Asia cup win. Probably even more. Which tells where the IPL is in the pecking order.
 
JaDed said:
• Ban on real-money gaming (RMG) sponsorships removed one of the league’s biggest revenue contributors.

Lol why would they take this off, it was contributing so much, even technically , Indian regulation is annoying as hell.
Click to expand...
Yeah this is probably the major cause.
 
IPL’s probably least valued team - Rajasthan Royals (RR) is valued at USD 1.6B in the current bear market


I presume a team like RCB and CSK which have solid fan-base will easily cross 2.5B USD when any deal materializes.

Mind boggling numbers these are.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Theanonymousone said:
IPL’s probably least valued team - Rajasthan Royals (RR) is valued at USD 1.6B in the current bear market


I presume a team like RCB and CSK which have solid fan-base will easily cross 2.5B USD when any deal materializes.

Mind boggling numbers these are.
Click to expand...
RCB has been officially sold for $1.78 billion. This includes both men and women teams


Cash only deal.too.
 
Tak these valuation reports with a sack of salt, written on linkedin by someone

Valuation is what the market is ready to pay,

Today. Two ipl teams were sold in excess of 1.5 bn usd each, that’s valuation
 
cricketjoshila said:
Tak these valuation reports with a sack of salt, written on linkedin by someone

Valuation is what the market is ready to pay,

Today. Two ipl teams were sold in excess of 1.5 bn usd each, that’s valuation
Click to expand...
These are real numbers. Not just an evaluation.

Well, a quick search tells me that RCB owners made 15x of what they paid for. RR owners made 22x. All in just 20 years. That is some growth on investment!
 
cricketjoshila said:
Tak these valuation reports with a sack of salt, written on linkedin by someone

Valuation is what the market is ready to pay,

Today. Two ipl teams were sold in excess of 1.5 bn usd each, that’s valuation
Click to expand...
Exactly, RCB was bought for $1.78 billion liquid cash. In current climate liquid cash is worth way more than stocks or other methods of payment
 
The overall market for IPL is going through correction after exponential growth from launch. From 2024, at its peak to 2025 it lost 20% of its value.

I personally think many sports league around the world is way too overvalued. You can just watch highlights on YouTube unless it's like the Final or something.
 
BDfanforever said:
The overall market for IPL is going through correction after exponential growth from launch. From 2024, at its peak to 2025 it lost 20% of its value.

I personally think many sports league around the world is way too overvalued. You can just watch highlights on YouTube unless it's like the Final or something.
Click to expand...
These Clown won't understand anything. . it was due to Indian government banned all the betting app's, fantasy league like dream 11, my11 Circle... And Many more. .. 😂😂😂

:klopp :kp
 
Rcb has seen an ownership transfer yday for 1.8 billion
BDfanforever said:
The overall market for IPL is going through correction after exponential growth from launch. From 2024, at its peak to 2025 it lost 20% of its value.

I personally think many sports league around the world is way too overvalued. You can just watch highlights on YouTube unless it's like the Final or something.
Click to expand...
 
cricketjoshila said:
Tak these valuation reports with a sack of salt, written on linkedin by someone

Valuation is what the market is ready to pay,

Today. Two ipl teams were sold in excess of 1.5 bn usd each, that’s valuation
Click to expand...
@BouncerGuy blud prbly got excited seeing that linkedin post and wanted to share the news with his fellow countrymen. It's typical and that's ok! 😅
 
BDfanforever said:
The overall market for IPL is going through correction after exponential growth from launch. From 2024, at its peak to 2025 it lost 20% of its value.

I personally think many sports league around the world is way too overvalued. You can just watch highlights on YouTube unless it's like the Final or something.
Click to expand...
What correction? How can entire league be worth only 8.8 billion or whatever nonsense that linkedin post showed, when just two franchise got sold for over 4 billion?

How does that make any sense to you?
 
Devadwal said:
In 2008, the entire RR franchise was bought for around $67 million. Today, it’s valued at over $1.8 billion. That’s a return of over 2,600%. :kp
Click to expand...
Yes, but future return won't be 2600% gain. It will be much slower growth. That was the point.

Also, I am not sure why it matters to you guys? It's not like you are getting paid or something?
 
BDfanforever said:
Yes, but future return won't be 2600% gain. It will be much slower growth. That was the point.

Also, I am not sure why it matters to you guys? It's not like you are getting paid or something?
Click to expand...


IPL is Indian product so it's matter for us. .but why is a jamaati crying about IPL? You guys has nothing to do with.

For Itna kahe Ko Rona dhona.?

:klopp :kp
 
BDfanforever said:
Also, I am not sure why it matters to you guys? It's not like you are getting paid or something?
Click to expand...

Not this again. You guys spread misinformation like - the league is totally losing its value you guys..

When people correct that misinformation with actual numbers then it's - why do you bother with the money? Are you getting paid?

Try a better tactic my dude. OP is not Indian.
 
BDfanforever said:
Yes, but future return won't be 2600% gain. It will be much slower growth. That was the point.

Also, I am not sure why it matters to you guys? It's not like you are getting paid or something?
Click to expand...
It's ok for an IPL fan to talk about actual figures and ROI of an IPL team. Calm down and stop getting triggered over a fan online!
 
Sachin fan said:
Not this again. You guys spread misinformation like - the league is totally losing its value you guys..

When people correct that misinformation with actual numbers then it's - why do you bother with the money? Are you getting paid?

Try a better tactic my dude. OP is not Indian.
Click to expand...
No one is spreading misinformation. IPL did lose 20% of its value last year. I mean you can just look it up online. Do you think every business just continues to go up every single year?
 
just a fan said:
It's ok for an IPL fan to talk about actual figures and ROI of an IPL team. Calm down and stop getting triggered over a fan online!
Click to expand...
Actually it's the Indian fans whom are getting triggered just because IPL lost 20% of its value from peak. It doesn't really affect them in any way. I would be more worried of Iran war which is affecting most of people worldwide.
 
BDfanforever said:
Actually it's the Indian fans whom are getting triggered just because IPL lost 20% of its value from peak. It doesn't really affect them in any way. I would be more worried of Iran war which is affecting most of people worldwide.
Click to expand...
And yet I see you here curious over how much an indian gets paid from IPL! Interesting blud you are 😅
 
BDfanforever said:
No one is spreading misinformation. IPL did lose 20% of its value last year. I mean you can just look it up online. Do you think every business just continues to go up every single year?
Click to expand...
Welcome to the 21st century... strike that 20th century.
 
There will be valuation dips due to various reasons.

Also stagnations etc.

The impending retirement of marketable stars could be one reason there are valuation dips.

I do think IPL will lose a bit more valuation but so will all the t20 leagues. It will however still be extremely viable and stable after that. The league has stood the test of time , steadily increased valuation even with various upheaveals like covid etc etc.

The only challenge with IPL is that the league is too long. It runs for too long a time and the fans end up being burnt out towards the end.
 
RidiculousMan said:
It's boring
Click to expand...
IPL is probably the most entertaning cricket sport event (other than the WC's - even then). So unsure what you mean by boring. The broadcast is done properly, they heavily invest on proper commies, players, pure cricket entertainment package.

However, the boring aspect comes from players from certain countries (currently 2 - bangladesh and pakistan) not able to participate. So yes, boring from that aspect for these two countries but it's not a boring tournament by any means.
 
BDfanforever said:
Actually it's the Indian fans whom are getting triggered just because IPL lost 20% of its value from peak. It doesn't really affect them in any way. I would be more worried of Iran war which is affecting most of people worldwide.
Click to expand...
It's market,there are always those margins,you will see it goes up by 30-50% as well
No point pondering over it whole week 24×7
 
IPL suffered losses 3 years in a row --> "IPL has faced two consecutive years of ecosystem valuation decline from ₹92,500 crore ($11.2 billion) in 2023 to ₹82,700 crore ($9.9 billion), in 2024, and further down to ₹76,100 crore ($8.8 billion) in 2025, an earlier report by D&P Advisory stated." (source: https://www.outlookbusiness.com/new...w-to-96-bn-in-2025-amid-real-money-gaming-ban)

IPL's value has been declining for a while. Great to see. :dav

We eventually need IPL to be gone from cricket. It is a cancer.

#MakeCricketGreatAgain
 
sweep_shot said:
IPL's value has been declining for a while. Great to see. :dav

We eventually need IPL to be gone from cricket. It is a cancer.

#MakeCricketGreatAgain
Click to expand...
Nothing that a revision to the ban on online gaming won't fix.

There's been some down years which is the reason why some IPL franchises have chosen to keep their franchises for sale. But the potential upside is enough for foreign investors to come in.

And how is the bangla premier league going , managed to pay your players yet ?
 
IPL living in people's mind..he's doesn't watch it, doesn't care yet spam posts on its perceived decline :trump :dav
 
When it comes to cricket we are defeated nation and our mousey response to Indian cricket;s rise makes us look worse. Its time we were brave and acknowledged the good things in Indian cricket and how they are growing. Rather than that many of our people continue to hold a grudge and try the most silly ways to undermine Indian cricket's success. It only makes us look backward, low IQ and jealous as Pakistanis and i cannot stand that. We are better than that.
 
Bhaijaan said:
When it comes to cricket we are defeated nation and our mousey response to Indian cricket;s rise makes us look worse. Its time we were brave and acknowledged the good things in Indian cricket and how they are growing. Rather than that many of our people continue to hold a grudge and try the most silly ways to undermine Indian cricket's success. It only makes us look backward, low IQ and jealous as Pakistanis and i cannot stand that. We are better than that.
Click to expand...

For Pakistan CB to monetize that , they need to have a clear strategy on how to monetize. This involves having clear dominion on the broadcasts in their premier league. The govt needs to fix those problems first bhaijaan
 
sweep_shot said:
IPL suffered losses 3 years in a row --> "IPL has faced two consecutive years of ecosystem valuation decline from ₹92,500 crore ($11.2 billion) in 2023 to ₹82,700 crore ($9.9 billion), in 2024, and further down to ₹76,100 crore ($8.8 billion) in 2025, an earlier report by D&P Advisory stated." (source: https://www.outlookbusiness.com/new...w-to-96-bn-in-2025-amid-real-money-gaming-ban)

IPL's value has been declining for a while. Great to see. :dav

We eventually need IPL to be gone from cricket. It is a cancer.

#MakeCricketGreatAgain
Click to expand...

I expect IPL to lose value again this year. :qdkcheeky

IPL bubble is collapsing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

MenInG
First Jay Shah, now another Indian joins the party at the top-level in ICC
Replies
11
Views
874
Devadwal
Devadwal
R
Mukesh Ambani to stream IPL for free after paying 2.7 billion dollars
Replies
13
Views
2K
Cricket Warrior
Cricket Warrior
L
IPL brand value falls for first time in 6 years
Replies
68
Views
7K
nish_mate
N
MenInG
Beyond the Boundary: Celebrating the advent of Twenty20 leagues
Replies
10
Views
2K
Chokli
Chokli
Back
Top