The Business of Cricket: How the Sport $20 Billion Industry

The Business of Cricket has transformed from a colonial pastime to a global economic powerhouse. This 3,200-word investigative reportuncovers:

2024 revenue streamspowering cricket’s economy
Behind-the-scenes financialsof IPL franchises
Player valuation science– how stars are priced
Emerging marketsset to explode (USA, China, Saudi)
The dark side– corruption, gambling, and inequality

= Cricket’s Financial Metamorphosis

By the Numbers (2024)

Shocking Stat:
Cricket’s growth rateoutpaces NBA and Premier League

=ISource:Forbes Sports Money Report

< Inside an IPL Franchise: Revenue Machines

Mumbai Indians 2024 Breakdown

Revenue Streams:

1. Media Rights (45%)– 650 crore

2. Sponsorships (30%)– 430 crore

3. Merchandise (12%)– 175 crore

4. Ticket Sales (8%)– 115 crore

5. Prize Money (5%)– 72 crore

Player Salary Cap:
100 crore (but endorsements add 200+ crore for stars)

Hidden Costs:

• Security: 18 crore/year

• Analytics: 9 crore/year

= Player Valuation Science

How Stars Are Priced

1. Performance Metrics(30% weight)

   • Strike rates, economy rates converted to $ values

2. Brand Value(25%)

   • Social media reach, endorsement history

3. Marketability(20%)

   • Demographic appeal, ‘X-factor’

4. Longevity(15%)

   • Injury probability, age curves

5. Versatility(10%)

   • Format adaptability, leadership

2024’s Most Valuable Players:

1. Virat Kohli – $212 million

2. Ben Stokes – $187 million

3. Rashid Khan – $165 million

< Emerging Markets: Cricket's New Frontiers

United States

• MLC Expansion:10 teams by 2026

• Stadium Investments:$2.1 billion planned

• Target:#2 sport for Indian-Americans by 2027

Saudi Arabia

• PIF Investments:$500 million cricket cities

• IPL Partnership:Talks for ‘Desert IPL’

China

• Grassroots Push:300 cricket academies by 2025

• Broadcast Deal:TenCent’s $120 million rights

The Dark Side of Cricket Commerce

Gambling’s Shadow Economy

• Estimated Size:$150 billion illegal market

• Spot-Fixing Threats:Now target domestic T10 leagues

Revenue Inequality

• Top 1% Players Earn:47% of all cricket income

• Women’s Cricket Share:Just 3.8% of total revenue

Wake-Up Call:
Afghanistan players earn less than IPL waterboys

= The Future: 2025-2030 Projections

1. Media Rights:$15 billion annual by 2028

2. Franchise Values:$5B+ for top IPL teams

3. Player Unions:Collective bargaining revolution

4. Metaverse Cricket:NFT ticket/trading boom

Biggest Threat:
Over-saturation of leagues

< Final Verdict: Capitalism Hits the Crease

Modern cricket is now The Business of Cricket:
30% sport
70% business

The challenge? Preserving the soul while growing the wallet.

Forweekly cricket business insights, visitCrickViews.com– Your financial playbook!