BCCI could earn up to $5 billion from IPL broadcasting rights

The BCCI is set for a windfall of gigantic proportions as the IPL broadcast rights (TV and digital) could fetch the Board up to US $5 billion for the next five-year cycle (2023-2027) while some high-profile interest is being seen in the bidding process for the two new teams.

The current five-year rights (TV and digital) for IPL from 2018 to 2022 are with Star India but, according to people who are in decision-making capacity, the valuation, which is at Rs 16,347.50 crore ($2.55 billion) right now, could more than double and reach $5 billion (around Rs 36,000 crore approx at current exchange rate).

"There is a well-known US based company which did send BCCI feelers some time back, expressing their serious interest in bidding for IPL media rights. With 10 teams playing IPL from 2022, the matches will go up to 74 and in any case, the valuation of the property increases," a senior BCCI official saud.

"But with two new teams about to fetch anything between Rs 7000 crore to 10,000 crore, the broadcast rights are certainly going to shoot through the roof. So expect the IPL broadcast rights to go for anything above $4 billion and may be up to $5 billion," the official in the know of things said.

Any foreign company showing interest in buying IPL properties needs to have an Indian wing.

The last time around, there were only two major players in TV and digital media rights market with Star India handsomely outbidding Sony, who held the rights from 2008-2017.

Star had bid nearly Rs 5300 crore more as Sony's final composite bid was Rs 11,050 crore ($1.47 billion). Star India is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company India.

The BCCI normally categorises various broadcast deals like TV, digital (streaming), radio, and social media but last time, it allowed separate as well as one composite bid.

Any company can also bid separately but if the valuation of the singular composite bid is more than the cumulative amount of singular bids, then that is considered by the Board.

The BCCI is set to release the Tender invitation in Dubai on October 25, the same day when two new IPL teams will also be announced.

The BCCI is expecting robust bidding from both Star India and also Sony, which would like to get the IPL property back in its bouquet.