How IPL 2023-2027 media rights bidding can trigger longer IPL seasons

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is all set to auction off the media rights for the Indian Premier League (IPL) seasons between 2023 and 2027. The e-auction went underway on Sunday, June 12, with seven companies battling each other in a bidding war.

Zee Group, Sony Pictures, Viacom-led JV, Disney+Hotstar, Culver Max Entertainment, Times Internet, and Fun Asia are among the companies involved after e-commerce giant Amazon decided to step away from the bid.

According to reports, the reserve price for the IPL 2023-2027 media rights deal stands at Rs.36,000 crores. The reports further state that the BCCI plans to play out a total of 410 IPL matches scattered across the five-year period, with 74 games per season for the first two years, 84 for the next two seasons and 94 matches in the 2027 season.

However, the BCCI may well have to increase the number of matches per year if the bidding war heats up amongst companies.

Intense bidding war might trigger longer IPL seasons for 2023-27

As per the reserve price of Rs.36,000 crores for a minimum of 410 IPL games, the price of one IPL match stands at a staggering Rs.88 crore.

Similarly, if the final bid rises up to Rs.43,000 crores, one IPL match would be valued at Rs.105 crores. Such an expensive value would force the BCCI to revamp their IPL 2023-27 cycle by increasing the number of matches per season. But, given that the number of games in the 2023-27 cycle will be a minimum of 410.

Suppose, if the value rises even higher, say Rs.50,000 crores (Rs.122 crore per match), the Indian board would have to increase the tournament even further (570 matches across five years), thus giving rise to a massive scheduling conflict with the ICC regarding their Futures Tour Programme (FTP).

Possible antagonisms to BCCI’s forced IPL expansion

While the IPL rakes in big money for the BCCI every year, the Indian board also has to suffer much hostilities in doing so. Availability of several international stars comes into question as they find it difficult to accommodate national and IPL commitments. Moreover, the two-month IPL window is now tighter than ever, considering the ever-growing international schedule courtesy of the ICC.

If anything, longer IPL seasons will trigger even more tensions with the international cricketing body, and possibly, even create some stiffness with IPL franchises themselves. While generating big money remains the biggest pro for BCCI via expanded IPL seasons, here we take a look at some of the cons through the same:

- Widening Country vs IPL dispute

Despite ICC’s best efforts to accommodate their FTP in accordance with the IPL, several non-India players still end up sacrificing either their national commitments or part of their IPL contracts. Expanded IPL seasons will only wider the ongoing dispute, thus creating a rift between the BCCI and the ICC amidst their strong business relationship.

- Reluctance by franchises

According to an insider report, none of the IPL franchise wants a longer IPL season. The report further claims that all 10 franchises are content with their teams playing 14 league matches across the two-and-a-half month even and longer IPL season will only jeopardise that.

- Fear of IPL overdose for fans

While the IPL remains a global hit, longer IPL seasons puts the tournament at risk of getting burnt out among the cricketing fans. Fans of the event, or even of a particular franchise, will have to consume more T20 action in the name of team loyalty or entertainment.

- Threat to Test cricket

Test cricket, while the purest form of the game, is bound to lose fans at some point if franchise-bound leagues like IPL continues to provide slam-bang entertainment. Moreover, Test cricket might also end up losing its potential ambassadors if they are to enjoy a massive cheque for an IPL commitment.