The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the highest-grossing T20 franchise league in the world, and its popularity in cricket is only second to the 50-over World Cup. The lucrative tournament, organised by the world’s richest board, has attracted players and sponsors from across the globe. Since its inception, the tournament has risen in stature and challenges the biggest leagues in the world, including the National Football League (NFL).
Following the successful display of the IPL model, T20 franchise leagues became a common extravaganza in most parts of the world. But only a few have come close to matching the standard of the IPL. The Big Bash League (BBL), ogranised by Cricket Australia, has the second-highest value among T20 franchise leagues in the world due to its ever-growing viewership and popularity.
In 2022, the IPL brand value grew by two folds to INR 6,93,89,46,00,000, while the BBL brand value stood at INR 1,64,40,11,100 last season. The difference between the brand value of both the T20 franchise leagues is INR 6,92,25,05,88,900. As it stands, the brand value reflects on the amount each franchise has, and it spends on the top players.
For instance, the highest-paid player in the IPL is England all-rounder Sam Curran. He fetched INR 18,50,00,000 per season from Punjab Kings and lands INR 1,3214,285 per match, whereas the highest-paid player in the BBL D’Arcy Short. He is the most expensive player in the history of the Australian T20 league and only player to fall under the bracket of INR 1,41,93,470 per season. His per match fee from the Hobart Hurricanes is INR 10,13,819.
Meanwhile, Australia all-rounder Cameron Green became the second-highest grossing player in the IPL, when Mumbai Indians fetched him for INR 17,50,00,000 in the 2023 auction. The powerful middle-order batter rakes up INR 1,25,00,000 per match. In the BBL, the second-highest paid player ever is specialist bowler Andrew Tye. He falls under the price bracket of INR 1,35,27,499 per season whereas his per match income from Perth Scorchers is INR 966,249.
The third highest paid player in the history of IPL is premier India opener KL Rahul. The Lucknow Super Giants captain rakes up INR 17,00,00,000 per season. His per match income from the newly added franchise in the lucrative tournament is INR 1,21,42,857. Meanwhile, the third-highest paid player in the BBL history is Rahul’s LSG teammate and Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis. He fetched INR 1,24,97,009 per season from Perth Scorchers in 2012-13, which brought his per match fee to 892,643. However, he is no more associated with any BBL franchises.
Overall, the highest-paid IPL players rake up 17x higher sum than the BBL, and that is a prime reason of the Indian T20 franchise league becoming a major attraction to most players across the globe.
