The Indian Premier League, since its 2008 launch, has become the richest cricket tournament in the world. Without doubt IPL has provided many a player the platform for global recognition while churning out loads of cash for not just hosts Board of Control for Cricket in India and its partners but other national boards as well.
Financial implications of a "no show" may be pretty big but it cannot be expected to threaten the very survival of the game, as one former senior IPL official opined.
Former IPL head honcho Sunder Raman has gone on record to say that world cricket's very survival could be threatened if the tournament is not held during 2020!
Not really true, though this year's IPL was scheduled for a March-end start and hence nearly all commercial commitments would have already been wrapped up. But with no IPL due to the worldwide Covid19 pandemic, there is little chance that the money would be paid at all. In fact, some partners may want a refund on their advance as the economy reels under weeks of forced closure.
Without a doubt everyone associated with IPL ... from BCCI and franchises to players, officials, trainers, ground staff, stadium managements, host associations, hospitality and travel ... stands to suffer a big loss. Many might not even make it through, pretty much like the airlines and tourism industry.
However, cricket boards are not solely dependent on IPL revenue for survival. Even before 2008 there was plenty of cricket played around the world but yes its valuation was not as high as it became post the IPL marketing blitz.
BCCI, for one, certainly has enough reserves to see it through the pandemic. It has already announced its intention to not enforce a pay cut on its contracted players.
Others may not be as fortunate but to see their survival itself tied to the staging of the IPL may be a bit of an over-reach. The tournament does generate money like nothing before but most of the benefits accrue to the players, both home and abroad.
Most likely, foreign boards would not be losing sleep over the IPL suspension. More worrisome for them would be sword dangling over the ICC World T20 scheduled for later in the year.
There is indeed intense lobbying to replace the ICC event itself with the IPL. Actually not a bad idea as far as India is concerned. With international travel still in limbo, everything is up in the air.
But will the ICC oblige? Only time will tell ...
Financial implications of a "no show" may be pretty big but it cannot be expected to threaten the very survival of the game, as one former senior IPL official opined.
Former IPL head honcho Sunder Raman has gone on record to say that world cricket's very survival could be threatened if the tournament is not held during 2020!
Not really true, though this year's IPL was scheduled for a March-end start and hence nearly all commercial commitments would have already been wrapped up. But with no IPL due to the worldwide Covid19 pandemic, there is little chance that the money would be paid at all. In fact, some partners may want a refund on their advance as the economy reels under weeks of forced closure.
Without a doubt everyone associated with IPL ... from BCCI and franchises to players, officials, trainers, ground staff, stadium managements, host associations, hospitality and travel ... stands to suffer a big loss. Many might not even make it through, pretty much like the airlines and tourism industry.
However, cricket boards are not solely dependent on IPL revenue for survival. Even before 2008 there was plenty of cricket played around the world but yes its valuation was not as high as it became post the IPL marketing blitz.
BCCI, for one, certainly has enough reserves to see it through the pandemic. It has already announced its intention to not enforce a pay cut on its contracted players.
Others may not be as fortunate but to see their survival itself tied to the staging of the IPL may be a bit of an over-reach. The tournament does generate money like nothing before but most of the benefits accrue to the players, both home and abroad.
Most likely, foreign boards would not be losing sleep over the IPL suspension. More worrisome for them would be sword dangling over the ICC World T20 scheduled for later in the year.
There is indeed intense lobbying to replace the ICC event itself with the IPL. Actually not a bad idea as far as India is concerned. With international travel still in limbo, everything is up in the air.
But will the ICC oblige? Only time will tell ...
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