IPL adds it up, and still ends up short of valuation crease

Core Insights - The valuation of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has declined for the first time in its history, dropping to Rs 76,100 crore ($8.8 billion) in 2025 from Rs 82,700 crore ($9.9 billion) in 2024 and Rs 92,500 crore ($11.2 billion) in 2023, reflecting a two-year erosion of Rs 16,400 crore [7] Industry Overview - The decline in IPL valuation indicates a fundamental reset in India's cricket economy, influenced by media consolidation and government regulations [7] - The merger of Disney Star and Viacom18 into JioStar has unified television and digital rights, ending the competitive bidding that previously inflated media-rights values [7] - The government's ban on real-money gaming (RMG) advertising and sponsorship has significantly impacted the IPL ecosystem, with an estimated loss of Rs 1,500-Rs 2,000 crore in annual spending [3][7] Financial Impact - The total advertising loss across Indian sports and media due to the RMG ban is estimated at nearly Rs 7,000 crore, with cricket being the most affected [3][7] - The last major media rights sale in 2022 set a new benchmark, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selling IPL media rights for Rs 48,390 crore for the 2023-27 cycle, marking a threefold increase from the previous cycle [5][7] Future Projections - D&P Advisory had projected a 40-50% appreciation in media rights by 2027, based on the presence of strong bidders and potential entry of global tech companies into sports streaming, but this outlook has been constrained by the RMG ban [7]