Indian Premier League (IPL) is undoubtedly the world’s richest cricketing league. The stars, the brands, the stakes involved make it a cash-rich league. Every year the lucrative league keeps getting richer and the value it holds skyrockets with every passing season. When the IPL was initially conceptualized there was plenty of scepticism regarding the financial viability of the teams and the tournament in general. But the IPL has proven its detractors wrong and it has managed to generate not just wealth, but opportunities galore for people across sectors. We at Stumpsandbails bring you the net worth of the 8 IPL franchises which participated in IPL 2020.
8: Rajasthan Royals (₹271 crores)
Rajasthan Royals is popularly known as the money-ball team of the IPL. Their journey in the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008 was the stuff of fairytales. They were a bunch of no-hopers when they entered the competition but ended up winning the league. Royals could have built on the initial euphoria but average performances over the years and lack of a big brand name cricketer resulted in them being the only team to have a net worth below ₹300 crores.
7: Kings XI Punjab (₹358 crores)
Another team pretty similar in terms of brand value is Kings XI Punjab. It had the glamour quotient in its co-owner, Preity Zinta, and a star value cricketer in Yuvraj Singh in its initial years but it couldn’t materialise into anything substantial for the team. KXIP remains one of the 3 teams along with Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore to not win the IPL. Their inconsistent showing in the league has seen them having a below-par brand value.
6: Delhi Capitals (₹374 crores)
Even though the Delhi Capitals have seen a change in fortunes in the last couple of years where they entered the playoffs and even reached the finals this year. The performance of Delhi Capitals (earlier known as Delhi Daredevils) has often been disappointing. The franchise had players like Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, AB De Villiers, David Warner, Andre Russell at different stages of their IPL journey. But sadly they could never build anything of value around these IPL superstars.
5: Sunrisers Hyderabad (₹483 crores)
Sunrisers Hyderabad is one franchise that has been smart with its cricket and its brand. The entire brand value of the franchise is surrounded by cricketing operations. SRH went on to win the IPL 2016 and this increased their following multi-fold. They have built upon their win and their consistency in the past few years have made them a force to reckon with.
4: Royal Challengers Bangalore (₹595 crores)
Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL are pretty similar to the South African cricket team in a World Cup, as neither of them have managed to win a single championship. But what makes RCB unique is the fact that without having a single IPL trophy under their kitty they continue to be a major brand in the IPL. It manages to do so thanks to the presence of one man called Virat Kohli. He is not just their captain fantastic but also happens to be the most powerful cricketer in the world. His brand value seems to have rubbed on the RCB franchise too.
3: Kolkata Knight Riders (₹629 crores)
Kolkata Knight Riders are one team that never needed any brand valued cricketer. Since they had their charismatic owner, Shahrukh Khan as the team’s biggest brand face. They were the first team to become profitable in IPL in the year 2011. The arrival of Venky Mysore as the CEO of KKR has helped them amplify their brand presence and make considerable profits.
2: Chennai Super Kings (₹732 crores)
Chennai Super Kings are without a doubt the most consistent team in the history of the IPL. They made it to the playoffs every time they played in the league except this year and that in itself is a stellar record to boost. Their consistent run has helped them achieve a spectacular fan base. The fact that Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been the captain of CSK has also upped their brand value.
1: Mumbai Indians (₹809 crores)
Mumbai Indians became the first team to win 5 IPL trophies when it defeated Delhi Capitals in the finals of this year’s (2020) IPL. Their winning run has coincided with their brand value skyrocketing during these years. 5 trophies in 8 years has seen a run like no other. The presence of icons like Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma has only enhanced the brand reputation. While Reliance Industries which owns the Mumbai Indians remains the single largest business group in the country. All these factors have combined to drive the net worth of Mumbai Indians to a mammoth ₹809 crores.
