Reports: IPL media rights could be out soon, price expected to be double from last cycle

It has been learned that the media rights for the Indian Premier League (IPL) could be released soon, most probably in a week’s time. Notably, as per the previous announcement, the tender was set to be released five months ago, in October last year. Some reports had suggested that the continued delay was due to the pressure from current host broadcaster Star, whose tenure will end after the conclusion of IPL 2022.

However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has dismissed all such speculations. It must be noted that BCCI has hired KPMG, a professional service agency, to look after the process of selling the rights. After all, IPL is arguably the most popular T20 competition worldwide and hence, many prominent bodies are aiming to bag the media rights.

Moreover, two new teams – Lucknow Super Giants and Gujurat Titans – have come into the picture. Hence, IPL will be a 10-team affair, and the same results in the increase of the number of matches. Owing to the same, the price is expected to be double from last cycle’s value of INR 16,347 crore. The Indian cricket board is also confident that the value would touch unseen heights.

The tender for IPL media rights will involve multiple parties: BCCI official

“We are expecting a very high price. It would be unfair to point out a figure. The tender will involve multiple parties and we are hoping very high interest from the parties,” a BCCI official was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

Meanwhile, cricket fans have their eyes on the calendar as the 2022 edition of the gala competition is set to get underway on March 26. As a mega auction took place ahead of this season, several teams have gone under massive revamps and it would be interesting to see how the tournament pans out. Many eyes will also be on the two new teams as for the very first time since the 2013 season, more than eight sides will participate in an IPL season.