‘I Have No Doubt That It Will Keep Growing’-Sourav Ganguly Is Not Shocked With The Global Effect Of The IPL
When its media rights for a period of five years beginning in 2023 were acquired for a total of Rs 48,390 crores, it reinforced the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) standing as one of the richest sports leagues in the world, let alone in cricket. The deal covered the period from 2023 to 2027. Even though there was a decrease in television ratings for the 2022 tournament, the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Sourav Ganguly, who was one of the marquee players and captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL’s first season in 2008, stated that the board’s top brass had expected the sale to reach this magnitude.
“There was not the slightest bit of fear. We separated it into its component parts so that everyone could continue competing. The rights were sold in four separate bundles rather than in one unified transaction. So, this came as no surprise to the BCCI. We were anticipating this (windfall),” Sourav Ganguly said to the Sports star.
The fact that the total cost of the digital rights ended up being more than that of the television rights was one of the most significant talking points throughout the auction. The broadcast rights were purchased by Star India for a total of Rs. 23,575 crore, while the digital rights for the Indian subcontinent were granted to a partnership headed by Viacom 18 for a total of Rs. 23,758 crore. Viacom 18 and Times Internet Ltd. each paid Rs. 305 crores for their portion of the remainder of the international rights, which brought the total to Rs. 1,057 crore.
“That’s the way things are going to be in the world. Everyone anticipated that digital rights would be significant, and none of us are the least bit shocked by this development. There is no question in my mind that this sport is really good for you,” Ganguly said.
Sourav Ganguly said that he wants to grow the IPL more
Ganguly said that the BCCI is now planning to enhance the infrastructure of the stadiums and provide an enhanced experience for the people who attend the games. In addition to this, it will work toward bringing back the home-and-away structure of the competition, which has been missing for the last three years as a result of the implementation of COVID-19.
“It’s a fantastic competition, and I have no doubt that it will keep growing. But the most essential thing is that the IPL has to switch to a home-and-away format beginning with the 2023 season,” added Ganguly.
“We definitely plan to work on it and expand the entire infrastructure to provide our fans with a more satisfying experience. There have been several new venues constructed, and the overall infrastructure for cricket in this nation is extensive. Next year, we want to remodel a couple of the stadiums and bring back the Indian Premier League with a whole new level of extravagance and passion.
“COVID has had an impact on the last two years, and the most important thing is that despite COVID, we were able to organize the event, and this time, we completed it with tremendous fanfare in Kolkata and Ahmedabad,” Ganguly added.
