The Business of Cricket Cricket has transformed from a colonial pastime to one of the world’s fastest-growing sports businesses, with the global cricket economy now valued at $20.1 billion according to Forbes. This 1,500+ word investigative report uncovers:
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Breakdown of cricket’s revenue streams
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The explosive growth of franchise leagues
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Player salaries and endorsement deals
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Emerging markets driving future growth
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The dark side of cricket’s commercialization
For ongoing business coverage, visit Crickviews Business Hub.
Chapter 1: Cricket’s Revenue Ecosystem
The $20 Billion Breakdown
| Revenue Stream | Value (2024) | % Growth (2020-24) |
|---|---|---|
| Media Rights | $8.2B | 142% |
| Sponsorships | $6.1B | 89% |
| Franchise Leagues | $3.4B | 210% |
| Merchandise | $1.7B | 65% |
| Ticketing | $0.7B | 38% |
Broadcast Revolution
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ICC’s $3.1B deal (2024-27) with Disney+Hotstar
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Regional OTT growth: FanCode (India), Willow (USA)
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Per-match value: IPL at $15M/match (higher than EPL)
The Business of Cricket, For complete financial reports, visit Crickviews Market Analysis.
Chapter 2: The Franchise League Gold Rush
League Valuations Compared
| League | Teams | Valuation | Avg. Team Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPL | 10 | $15.4B | $1.54B |
| PSL | 6 | $1.2B | $200M |
| SA20 | 6 | $900M | $150M |
| ILT20 | 6 | $800M | $133M |
The IPL Economy
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Media Rights: $6.2B (2023-27)
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Sponsorships: $400M/year (Tata, Dream11)
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Team Revenues:
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Broadcasting: 60%
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Sponsorships: 30%
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Ticketing: 10%
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Chapter 3: Player Earnings – The New Millionaires
2024 Salary Leaders
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Virat Kohli: $28M (Salary + endorsements)
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Pat Cummins: $18M (SRH captaincy + CA contract)
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Jos Buttler: $15M (RR + England + New Balance)
Endorsement Kings
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Kohli: 23 brands (Wrogn, MRF, Puma)
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Dhoni: 19 brands (Boat, Gulf Oil)
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Bumrah: 11 brands (Samsung, Boost)
The Business of Cricket, For player contract details, check Crickviews Salary Guide.
Chapter 4: Emerging Markets to Watch
1. United States
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2024 T20 WC impact: 12 new cricket facilities built
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MLC Expansion: 10 teams by 2026
2. Middle East
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UAE’s cricket economy: $200M annual revenue
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Saudi Arabia’s $2B investment plan
3. Europe
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Netherlands: 300% participation growth
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Germany: 150 new clubs since 2020
Chapter 5: The Dark Side of Commercialization
1. Player Workload Crisis
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Example: Jasprit Bumrah played 92 days/year
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Solution: ICC considering cap of 70 match days
2. Competitive Imbalance
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Revenue share: India gets 38% of ICC distributions
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Test cricket threat: Only 3 nations profitable
3. Gambling Influence
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Sponsorship concerns: 8/10 IPL teams have betting partners
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ICC regulations: New restrictions implemented
Chapter 6: Future Projections (2025-30)
1. Media Rights Boom
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Predicted IPL value: $10B for 2028-32 cycle
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Streaming wars: Amazon, Netflix entering bidding
2. Women’s Cricket Growth
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Projected value: $1B by 2027
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WPL expansion: 8 teams expected by 2026
3. Metaverse Integration
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Virtual merchandise: NFT jerseys launching
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Digital collectibles: $200M market by 2025
Why Cricket’s Business Model Works
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Dual revenue streams (international + leagues)
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Engaged diaspora markets (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh)
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Predictable content calendar (year-round matches)
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Low production costs vs other major sports
Read More: Cricket’s Greatest Rivalries in 2024: The Matches That Define the Sport
Final Verdict: Sustainable Growth or Bubble?
The Business of Cricket, While cricket’s financial rise seems unstoppable, the sport must address player welfare, competitive balance, and gambling concerns to ensure long-term health. The 2024-27 cycle will prove decisive in determining whether cricket becomes a truly global sport or remains regional powerhouse.
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