The Indian Premier League is more than just a tournament – it’s a business powerhouse. As one of the biggest cricket events globally, team owners pour in significant investments, with their returns tied to their team’s performance. With the 2025 IPL season nearing its climax, the top four teams have been decided: Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Punjab Kings, and Mumbai Indians have secured playoff spots.
Bollywood star Preity Zinta, co-owner of the Punjab Kings, is a regular at the team’s matches, cheering them on from the stands. Under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy, the team has made it to the playoffs after 11 years. Although they lost their recent match against the Delhi Capitals, have you ever wondered how much team owners stand to lose when their team loses a match? Let’s dive in.
For fans, the IPL is a source of entertainment. For franchise owners, it’s about the bottom line – wins and losses translate to profits and losses. The IPL’s brand value is staggering, with a commercial value of $11.2 billion in 2023 and $16.4 billion in 2024, according to the BCCI. Revenue from ticket sales, viewership, sponsorships, and media rights also contributes significantly to the teams’ coffers, with around 80% of ticket sales going directly to the team owners.
If a team keeps losing, the excitement wears off, and ticket sales plummet. This directly affects the team owners’ finances. The more a team loses, the less enthusiastic fans become, and the lower the viewership, the more losses the team owner incurs. For now, Preity Zinta’s Punjab Kings are performing well, and their matches are selling out. The question is, can Shreyas Iyer’s team, after making it to the playoffs after 11 years, go on to win the 18th season of the IPL under his captaincy?
How IPL teams generate revenue
- Ticket sales: 80% of revenue goes to team owners
- Viewership and broadcasting rights
- Sponsorships and partnerships
- Media rights
The IPL’s financial landscape is complex, with various revenue streams contributing to the teams’ income. As the tournament progresses, the stakes are high, and team owners like Preity Zinta will be watching their teams’ performances closely, hoping to minimize losses and maximize profits.