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IPL Franchises Worth Rs 31,000 Crore, But Players Remain Among World's Lowest-Paid

Former India opener Abhinav Mukund calls for higher player salaries amid record franchise valuations.

A fresh debate over player salaries in the Indian Premier League has emerged after the league witnessed a massive financial surge driven by franchise ownership deals. Recent developments saw Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals secure new owners, pushing their combined valuation beyond ₹31,000 crore. The deals underline the IPL’s growing financial strength and global appeal, positioning it among the most lucrative sporting leagues in the world.

The Aditya Birla Group-led consortium acquired a 100 percent stake in Royal Challengers Bengaluru for approximately USD 1.78 billion (₹16,706 crore) from United Spirits Limited. Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals were purchased by a US-based consortium led by Kal Somani for around USD 1.63 billion (₹15,290 crore). The consortium reportedly includes prominent global investors such as Rob Walton of the Walmart family and members of the Ford Motor Company’s Hamp family, further highlighting international interest in the league.

Amid these high-value transactions, former India cricketer Abhinav Mukund has sparked a conversation by questioning whether IPL players are fairly compensated. Speaking on The Great Indian Cricket Show, Mukund argued that despite the league’s soaring valuation, player salaries remain disproportionately low. His remarks have added a new dimension to ongoing discussions about revenue distribution within the IPL ecosystem.

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Mukund pointed out that when compared to other global sporting leagues such as Major League Baseball or Formula 1, IPL player salaries do not reflect the league’s financial scale. He emphasized that top IPL contracts, typically ranging between ₹20 crore and ₹25 crore, fall short when benchmarked against earnings in other major sports leagues. According to him, if the IPL is considered among the top global competitions, player pay structures should align with that status.

Expanding on his argument, Mukund suggested revisiting the IPL’s salary cap structure. He noted that franchises reportedly earn between ₹400 crore and ₹500 crore annually, while current player salary budgets remain in the range of ₹100 crore to ₹120 crore. He proposed that teams should be allowed to spend significantly more, potentially increasing the salary cap to ₹200 crore or even ₹250 crore to ensure fairer compensation for players.

The remarks have reignited discussions around the financial model of the IPL, particularly the balance between franchise revenues, league profits, and player earnings. As the league continues to expand in value and global influence, the question of whether players are receiving a fair share of the financial pie is likely to remain a key issue among stakeholders, analysts, and fans alike.

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