• Loading stock data...
Friday, July 4, 2025

IPL Broadcasting Rights Are A Hot Commodity

IPL/Design: Alex Brooks

The Indian Premier League is currently receiving more global attention than it ever has — and with two new teams joining the league, TV rights will likely become a tug-of-war.

Disney-owned Star India’s $2.6 billion, five-year deal for IPL broadcasting rights expires next year — the same year the league expands from eight to 10 teams — and the cost is estimated to increase by at least 25%.

The most recent price tag for IPL rights nearly quadrupled from what Sony paid to broadcast the first 10 years of the league in 2008. Sony may bid for the rights again this round, along with Zee Entertainment, in which Sony plans to purchase a 53% stake.

The league has been at the center of several major deals this year.

  • CVC Capital Partners, which owns stakes in La Liga, paid around $736 million for the new Ahmedabad franchise.
  • RPSG, a conglomerate owned by Sanjiv Goenka, shelled out roughly $964 million for the new Lucknow team.
  • In June, RedBird Capital acquired a 15% stake in IPL’s Rajasthan Royals for around $37.5 million, valuing the team at $250 million.

Last season, 31.57 million people watched the league’s final. In the past few seasons, Star India says that at least 400 million people have watched at least one match.

The IPL was reportedly valued at $6.2 billion in 2020.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

exclusive

ESPN’s Jeremy Schaap Strives to Discover Joey Chestnut’s Secret

Schaap calls his second Hot Dog Eating Contest July 4.
opinion

Caitlin Clark’s Media Supporters Pushing Harder Against Slights

Dick Vitale, Colin Cowherd, and others are accusing other WNBA players of jealousy.

Paramount Settles Trump Suit Ahead of NFL Season, Skydance Merger

The deal likely allows the much larger Skydance merger deal to proceed.
exclusive

ESPN, Fox Reluctant to Share Talent With Netflix for Christmas NFL Games

ESPN talents who worked last year’s games include Laura Rutledge and Mina Kimes.

Featured Today

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
June 29, 2025

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
Leo Messi

TNT, Club World Cup Ride Messi to Surprisingly Solid Debut Ratings

TNT Sports carries about a third of matches in the U.S.
June 23, 2025

NBA Finals Game 7 Is Most-Watched Since 2019, but Series Drops 9%

Game 7 drew 16.35 million viewers, the most-watched NBA game since 2019.
June 24, 2025

Fever vs. Aces Draws 5th-Largest TV Audience of 2025 WNBA Season

ESPN will carry seven more Indiana Fever games this year.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
June 19, 2025

Pacers Force Game 7, Could Spark Big Ratings Boost for NBA Finals

Game 7 could boost NBA Finals ratings after a slow start this year.
June 17, 2025

Stanley Cup Final Delivers Drama but Struggles for Eyeballs in U.S.

U.S. viewership fell while Canadian audiences for the event rose slightly.
June 17, 2025

Streaming Tops Linear for First Time, Sports Still Key to TV’s Resilience

Streaming hits another critical milestone in an accelerating media transition.
June 17, 2025

Zaslav Takes Pay Cut, TNT Sports Future Unclear in WBD Shake-Up

The TNT Sports parent company retools its executive pay after shareholder pushback.