• Loading stock data...
Sunday, February 22, 2026

Six Giants Vying For Coveted IPL Media Rights

IPL
IPL

Disney and Amazon are among the six entities that have already purchased the documents needed to bid for the Indian Premier League’s broadcasting rights — the third-largest sporting event by viewership. 

Bids worth $5 billion or more are expected for the rights between 2023 and 2027, while earlier reports suggested the rights could fetch as much as $7 billion

The other companies looking to obtain the rights include fantasy sports platform Dream 11, Reliance Industries, Sony, and Zee Entertainment — Sony purchased a 53% stake in Zee last year. Other bidders may still decide to join, and those listed may not end up bidding at all.

BCCI, the sport’s local governing body, will conduct an online auction that includes linear and streaming rights starting June 12.

  • Up to Match 35 last year, the IPL brought in its highest viewership in three years at 380 million viewers.
  • Disney-owned Star India owned the rights from 2018 to 2022 as part of a $2.5 billion deal. While Star India had rights to both linear and streaming rights, the two will be auctioned off separately for the league’s next set of deals.

Premier League Popularity

As the media numbers get bigger for IPL, so does its size. The Indian Premier League added two new teams this season: the Gujarat Titans and the Lucknow Super Giants.

CVC Capital Partners purchased the Titans for $737.7 million, and the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group bought the Super Giants for $930 million.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

[Subscription Customers Only] Jul 13, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Chelsea FC midfielder Cole Palmer (10) celebrates winning the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium

Soccer’s ‘Crown Jewels’ Are Devouring Smaller Clubs

Mega conglomerates are feeding a big business machine. Fans are furious.
Feb 10, 2026; Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy; Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin of the United States during the curling mixed doubles gold medal game during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium

Curling Clubs Are Swept Up in Olympics Fever. Can It Last?

Every four years, organizations field an influx of curling-curious patrons.
Max Valverde by Ron Winsett

How Ski Mountaineering’s Hype Man Went From TikTok to NBC

Max Valverde’s gushing over the niche sport vaulted him to Olympic broadcaster.
Feb 11, 2026; Livigno, Italy; Jaelin Kauf of the United States during freestyle skiing women's moguls final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Livigno Aerials & Moguls Park

The Surprise Hit of the Winter Olympics: First-Person Drone Views

Tiny drone cameras have reshaped the Olympics viewing experience.

Featured Today

Feb 11, 2026; Milan, Italy; Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States skate during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena.

Olympic Figure Skaters Pay Out of Pocket for $9,000 Costumes

For four minutes on ice, stakes are high—and prices even higher.
February 11, 2026

Epstein Emails Show His F1 Ties Ran Deep

The sex trafficker’s circles included many of the biggest names in F1.
February 6, 2026

Milan’s Olympic Village Is Built for Performance—and Partying

Making Milan’s Olympic Village was a five-year sprint.
February 5, 2026

Welcome to the Prediction-Market Super Bowl

Hundreds of millions of dollars are being traded across many platforms.
Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) watches batting practice during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

Gotham Sports Rolls Out Price Reductions to Streaming Packages

The YES Network-MSG Networks joint venture retools its pricing.
February 19, 2026

Super Bowl LX Viewership Revised, Still Falls Short of Record

The updated figure still trails the viewership for last year’s Super Bowl.
Founder and CEO of TMRW/Sports, Mike McCarley left, and LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler answer questions after announcing the WTGL golf league at SoFi Center on January 6, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
February 19, 2026

Media Rights Negotiations Ramping Up For WTGL

The league is planning to launch in November or December.
Sponsored

From MLS to AUSL: Jon Patricof on Building Sports Leagues

Jon Patricof on athlete equity, fan-first strategy, and how women’s sports can reshape the future of league building.
Jan 29, 2022; St. Louis, MO, USA; Ronda Rousey celebrates after winning the women’s Royal Rumble match during the Royal Rumble at The Dome at America's Center.
February 19, 2026

Ronda Rousey Says UFC Was Not Interested in Fight With Gina Carano

Both fighters will undergo more medical testing than what’s required.
Jul 15, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) drives the ball against Connecticut Sun guard Leila Lacan (47) in the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit:
February 19, 2026

ESPN to Fill ‘Sunday Night Baseball’ Void With ‘Women’s Sports Sundays’

The franchise will feature 12 games over a nine-week span.
Feb 17, 2026; Milan, Italy; Snoop Dogg looks on in the womens figure skating short program during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena.
February 18, 2026

Snoop Dogg Will Lead Olympic Hockey Alt-Cast During Men’s Quarterfinal

Team USA plays Sweden in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
John Fanta is set to make his NBA play-by-play debut for NBC.
exclusive
February 18, 2026

John Fanta to Make ‘NBA on NBC Sports’ Play-by-Play Debut

Fanta will be on the call for Wolves-Blazers on Tuesday.