The novel coronavirus pandemic has led to the cancellation or postponement of many sports events across the globe. The Indian Premier League (IPL) has also fallen victim to the current crises and the tournament which was scheduled to start from March 29, 2020, has been indefinitely postponed. There are many speculations of the IPL being played in the window of September but there has been no official announcement about the same.
Meanwhile, if we believe the top BCCI official the cancellation of the money-spinning tournament this year would cost more than half a billion dollars. He also mentioned that cutting on player’s pay is not yet being considered.
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BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal said that the cancellation of IPL 2020 would mean suffering a major financial loss. He said, “The BCCI is looking at a big revenue loss. In case the IPL does not take place, the loss would be close to 40 billion rupees ($530 million), or even more.”
India, just like any other nation is very much eager to return to the competitive international sport, but it has to follow all the rules and regulations issued by the government.
Dhumal further confessed that even he is not sure if IPL will be held this year. He admitted, “We are not sure whether we will be able to have it this year.”
A one-day international (ODI) series against South Africa in March has already been canceled but it is the IPL, which began in 2008, that generates the bulk of BCCI revenue and is thought to be worth more than $11 billion a year to the Indian economy.
The IPL brand value was estimated at $6.7 billion last year by the Duff and Phelps financial consultancy.
Currently, doubts also hover over the T20 World Cup which will be held in Australia later this year following Australia’s six-month travel ban.