New Delhi: Indian Premier League (IPL) Chairman Arun Dhumal has made a bold prediction about the league's media rights value, stating that it has the potential to reach a whopping USD 50 billion over the next two decades. The current media rights value of the IPL is USD 6.2 billion for a five-year period starting in 2022.

Dhumal shared this projection at the RCB Innovation Lab's Leaders Meet India in Bengaluru, emphasizing the importance of keeping fans engaged for the league's growth. He highlighted that constant innovation, improvement in fan engagement, and maintaining the quality of games are crucial for the IPL's expansion. Drawing a parallel with the National Football League (NFL), which signed a USD 110 billion media deal for 11 years last year, Dhumal suggested that the IPL could follow a similar trajectory in terms of media rights value.

The former BCCI treasurer also expressed optimism about the Women's Premier League (WPL), foreseeing significant growth in women's cricket, especially with cricket set to be included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Reflecting on the IPL's remarkable journey, Dhumal highlighted its status as the most-watched cricket league globally and deemed it the best "Make in India" brand post-independence. He attributed the IPL's success to its ability to showcase the diverse culture, languages, and states of India on a global platform.

From a media rights value of Rs 6,000 crore in 2008 to Rs 48,000 crore in 2023, the IPL has witnessed substantial financial growth, surpassing many major global sporting leagues. Dhumal emphasized that the IPL's success lies in its ability to connect with a diverse Indian audience and present the country to the world.

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