“The Business of Cricket: How the Sport Became a Billion-Dollar Industry”

1. The Business of Cricket: How the Sport Became a Billion-Dollar Industry

Cricket isn’t just a sport anymore—it’s a full-blown business empire. Growing up, many of us watched cricket simply for the love of the game. But over the years, it’s evolved into something much bigger. From broadcasting rights and sponsorships to franchise leagues and merchandising, cricket has become one of the most profitable sports in the world.


Let’s take the IPL (Indian Premier League), for example. What started in 2008 as a slightly risky experiment has turned into a money-making machine. Teams are now valued in the hundreds of millions, and players—both local and international—are fetching unbelievable price tags. In fact, IPL media rights were sold for over ₹48,000 crore (around $6 billion) for just five seasons. That’s more than what some global sports leagues manage. It’s crazy when you think about it.


So what’s the secret sauce? A few things.


First, cricket connects deeply with people. Especially in countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and even Australia and England, it’s more than entertainment—it’s emotion. Brands know this. That’s why companies are ready to pour millions into ad slots and player sponsorships. When MS Dhoni or Virat Kohli endorses something, people listen.


Second, the format of the game has adapted brilliantly. The T20 format, particularly, fits perfectly into the modern lifestyle. It’s fast-paced, exciting, and perfect for TV ratings. This shift has opened the door for leagues like the Big Bash, PSL, and now even the SA20 and US Major League Cricket.


Third, the fan base is enormous and loyal. The reach of cricket on social media is insane. Teams and players have huge followings, and engagement rates are through the roof. This has allowed brands to integrate themselves directly into the fan experience—whether it's fantasy leagues, digital collectibles (like NFTs), or just clever online campaigns.


But it’s not just about the players and brands. Even small businesses and local economies benefit. During the IPL season, restaurants, pubs, merchandise stores, and even online food delivery apps see a huge spike in sales. Hotels in cities hosting matches get booked out. It’s like a mini-festival every year.


Of course, like any business, cricket has its challenges too. There are debates about player burnout, match-fixing scandals, and whether the commercialization has diluted the “spirit of the game.” And honestly, there’s some truth to that. But it’s also fair to say that this money is helping improve infrastructure, support young talent, and expand the sport globally.


It’s also fascinating how cricket is being marketed in non-traditional regions. The U.S. now has its own Major League Cricket with big investors backing it. UAE and Saudi Arabia are investing in their own leagues. Cricket is going global, and the money is following it.


At the end of the day, cricket has changed. But maybe that’s not a bad thing. The game we love is reaching more people, creating more opportunities, and becoming a part of modern business in a way few could’ve imagined.

 

[Mustansir_Ezzi]

This article does a great job of capturing how cricket has evolved into a global business empire. There's no denying the sheer scale of growth, especially with leagues like the IPL turning cricket into a billion-dollar industry. But while all this sounds impressive, we also need to take a closer look at the reality of cricket in India—because not everything is as glamorous as it seems.

Let’s start with grassroots cricket. For a country that worships the sport, the infrastructure available to young aspiring cricketers in smaller towns and rural areas is still severely lacking. A major chunk of funding and attention goes to elite players and metro cities, leaving behind a huge talent pool with limited resources. The business side might be booming, but are we truly investing enough in the next generation of players across all regions? Nepotism as we all know it has destroyed many careers. players like Arjun Tendulkar have got many chances just because of his father whereas deserving players don't get just as much chance just because of few bad innings.

Secondly, there are gambling apps. All popular along with rising players are promoting gambling apps such "my 11 circle" without giving it a second thought. They say players can win amount up to 3 crores but we are all aware that no one has ever won that and neither will ever win. By using simple math concept such as probability, permutation and combination, some popular youtubers - such as Nitish Rajput calculated that even if we make 7 crores team chances of us winning 3 crores are still approx. 0.0001%. If this is the case why are these big players promoting it so much? So many common people have lost everything on these apps. Shouldn't it be BCCI's responsibility to allow players to promote only ethical apps yet what they do is they promote it themselves through partnerships and sponsorships. The Government should ban these apps yet they are the one who benefit from this all the most. Government deducts taxes 2 times from the same amount of money gambled - first from companies and second from players who have won.

Another point worth mentioning is player burnout. With jam-packed schedules, overlapping domestic and international commitments, players face dilemma what to choose. Dean Elgar asked 5 South African players who they will play for IPL or their own team in test match. All of them chose IPL as they were getting paid more. So is cricket all about money where did patriotism go in all this?

Also, let’s not forget the lack of attention to other sports in India. Cricket dominates headlines, sponsorships, government attention, and funding. Meanwhile, athletes from sports like hockey, wrestling, badminton, and athletics often struggle for basic support—until they win a medal or do something extraordinary. The cricket business is booming, yes, but it’s also hogging the spotlight unfairly. Even government does little efforts to promote such athletes and sports and only focus on cricket.

Lastly, even cricket has become a victim of politics in India. Secretary of BCCI is Jay Shah son of politician Amit Shah. Why are not former players given such positions since they know cricket better than anyone. And why are Pakistani players not given chance to participate in IPL and we don't play international matches with them. They are sportsman, how are they not safe to play with? They are not terrorist or have done any mis-doings. Just because Indian politicians hate Pakistan have conflicts with them even the players are considered a threat?

So yes, cricket is now a major global business—and that’s something to be proud of. But let’s not forget the cracks beneath the surface in the Indian context. If we truly want cricket to grow holistically, we need to balance profit with purpose, popularity with accessibility, and star power with grassroots development.