After the inception of T20 cricket, the dynamics of cricket have changed drastically. The 2007 T20 World Cup set the foundation for the shortest format of the game, and from there, the concept of franchise cricket came with the intent of entertainment and, most importantly, money. IPL was the world’s first franchise cricket league, changing the game’s economics and fashion forever. Therefore BBL, PSL, BPL, LPL, etc entered the show.
The introduction of franchise cricket provided the players with financial stability. Playing one or two months of T20 cricket helps them make more money than their board’s central contract. Hence many players even retire from international cricket to make themselves available to play the franchise cricket leagues throughout the year.
Richest Cricket League In The World
In this article, we will discuss the richest cricket league in the world among all countries.
IPL (Indian Premier League)
Indian Premier League, the first franchise cricket league in the world, began its journey in 2008 with eight teams and an initial investment of $40. The first edition became a big hit due to the presence of star players like Shane Warne, Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble, Muttiah Muralitharan, Jacques Kallis, Brett Lee, etc. The format, sponsorships, and auction to buy players attracted a huge crowd and set the foundation for franchise cricket. As of January 2025, the estimated valuation of the IPL is $12 billion, making it the richest cricket league in the world.Â
Therefore, every cricketer wants to join the Indian Premier League once in their lifetime to try their luck in making a fortune. For instance, Tymal Mills was sold for INR 12 cr to RCB and after that, he barely featured in the event.
ILT20 (International T20 League)
The International T20 League or ILT20 which commenced in 2023 officially, is reported to be the second-richest cricket league in the world with a valuation of $15 million which is nowhere near the IPL. The United Arab Emirates Cricket Board sanctioned the tournament and there are six teams currently. The highest earning of a player in this league is $450000 whereas in IPL, more than 50 players make this money every year.
SA20
The SA20 is South Africa’s premier franchise cricket league and embarked on defining quality and entertainment in 2023. All six teams in the SA20 league are indeed owned by IPL team owners. This connection has helped the SA20 gain significant viewership and support from one of the largest cricket markets in the world. Currently, the valuation of SA20 stands at an estimated $12.5 million.
BBL (Big Bash League)
The Big Bash League or BBL is the second franchise league in the world started in 2011 by Cricket Australia. Eight teams battle with each other in this event for the silverware and the players are picked via drafts instead of auction due to fewer sponsorships. The approximate worth of the BBL is $10 million.
The HundredÂ
The Hundred is the world’s first 100-ball tournament, it is based in England and administrated by the England Cricket Board. It kicked off in 2021 and there are eight teams in the competition. As per the latest assessment, the Hundred’s value is $9 million, placing it in the 5th place on the elite list of richest cricket leagues in the world.
List of Richest Cricket Leagues in the World
League | Valuation in $ |
IPL | 12 billion |
ILT20 | 10 billion |
SA20 | 12.5 million |
BBL | 10 million |
Hundred | 9 million |
MLC (Major League Cricket) | 6.9 million |
PSL | 5.7 million |
BPL | 4.8 million |
CPL | 4.6 million |
LPL | 3 million |
Related
Discover more from Live Cricket News: Score, Match, Live IPL Auction & more
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.