Following the resounding success of the inaugural season, the Women's Premier League (WPL) in India, gears up for its second edition starting from February 23. Five teams are prepared to battle it out, with matches split between Bengaluru and Delhi, showcasing the league's growing popularity.
Franchise sales breakdown: Who invested how much?
In a move mirroring the Indian Premier League's (IPL) meteoric rise, the WPL saw substantial investments in its franchise teams. The Adani Group's Gujarat Giants led the charge with a staggering bid of Rs 1289 crore, followed closely by Reliance Industries' Mumbai Indians at Rs 912.99 crore. Capri Global Lucknow was sold for Rs 757 crore, Royal Challengers Bangalore for Rs 901 crore, and Delhi Capitals for Rs 810 crore, reflecting the immense potential seen in women's cricket. The amount paid is for the first five seasons of WPL.
Profit distribution strategy by BCCI
BCCI's profit-sharing plan allocates 80 per cent of profits to franchises for the first five seasons, subsequently transitioning to 60 per cent for the next five. From the 11th to the 15th season, it will drop to 50 per cent. Furthermore, 80 per cent of revenue from central licensing rights will be shared with franchise teams, while avenues such as ticket sales and advertising offer additional revenue streams.
Broadcasting rights deal: A game-changer
In 2023, BCCI inked a lucrative broadcasting deal with Viacom-18 worth Rs 951 crore for five years, encompassing television and digital rights. This move aimed to expand the league's global footprint, with matches broadcast across prominent networks like Sky Sports for United Kingdom, Fox Sports for Australia, Willow TV for the United States and Canda, and SuperSport for South Africa.
Meet Shakti: The WPL mascot
Unveiled by BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, Shakti, the lioness, embodies the spirit and strength of women's cricket in India, serving as the official mascot for the WPL.
WPL 2024 moves out of Mumbai
With the second season set to commence, fans can look forward to 22 action-packed matches, culminating in the final showdown on March 17th. Bengaluru will host the first leg of 11 matches, while the remaining games will take place at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium.
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