IPL valuation swings 6.5% to $16.4 billion, CSK leads franchises at $231 million

IPL's valuation increased in 2024.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) reached a valuation of $16.4 billion, or around Rs 1.3 lakh crore, after concluding its 17th season in May, up 6.5 percent from $15.4 billion last year, according to a report by independent global investment bank Houlihan Lokey.

The report has generated IPL's business as well as brand value highlighting that the business value incorporates cash flows being generated by the IPL as a standalone business entity, while brand value is a subset of the overall value of a business.

IPL’s brand value also increased 6.3 percent to $3.4 billion from $3.2 billion in 2023.

Among franchises, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) leads the league with a brand value of $231 million. The team which is considered one of the most consistent has not only qualified in the playoffs for 12 out of 15 seasons they have played in, they have also won five titles. Former CSK captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been the face of the franchisee and the biggest contributor to the success of the franchise, the report said.

Coming in a close second is Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) with a brand value of $227 million that also benefits from the presence of star cricketer Virat Kohli. "RCB had a mixed season, from a poor first half and being placed last on the league table with a less than 1 percent chance of qualifying for the playoffs to achieving a remarkable turnaround to qualify for the playoffs for the ninth time, the only team apart from CSK and Mumbai Indians to achieve this feat," the report noted.

Season 17 champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had an exceptional year, after gaining back their momentum in the league by beating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the finals. KKR capitalises greatly on the brand equity of its star owner Shah Rukh Khan, along with standout players like Shreyas Iyer, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and the upcoming talent Rinku Singh. Regarded as one of the best-managed franchisees in terms of business, turning profitable much before other franchiees, KKR has a brand value of $216 million, elevating to the third position on the chart.

Another popular team, Mumbai Indians (MI) came in the fourth place on the table with a brand value of $204 million. "MI’s brand value was impacted due to the negativity surrounding the team after a change in captaincy and its on-field performances; however, the long-term goodwill associated with the brand helped to negate the impact," the report said.

Three out of the 10 teams, including Rajasthan Royals (RR), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), and Delhi Capitals (DC) are all in a tight range in terms of their brand values. While RR jumped up two places to the fifth spot in the brand ranking, with a brand value of $133 million, SRH followed RR at sixth place on the list, with a brand value of $132 million.

Delhi Capitals, with the return of its captain Rishabh Pant, ranked seventh with a brand value of $131 million.

After losing their captain to MI this year and with star player Mohammed Shami injured, Gujarat Titans (GT) failed to perform on field under the captaincy of Shubman Gill. The team was ranked eighth with a brand value of $124 million.

Punjab Kings (PK) has a brand value of $101 million, and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) registered a brand value of $91 million.