Indian Premier League

The story

The Indian Premier League was created in 2007 by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in response to the ICL (Indian Cricket League), a rival league backed by Subhash Chandra. Lalit Modi designed the IPL as a franchise league: eight teams auctioned to wealthy Indian businesspeople and Bollywood stars, a player auction that distributed the world's best cricketers across franchises, a two-month season compressed into prime-time broadcasting slots. The 2008 inaugural season was an immediate success; the Sony broadcast deal valued the league at $1B. By 2022 the IPL media rights sold for $6.2B for 5 years — more per match than England's Premier League or the NBA.

Inflection points · grouped by decade

2000s

2007Founding
IPL announced — franchise rights auctioned
BCCI announces the IPL. Eight city-based franchises auctioned. Mumbai Indians (Reliance) wins for $111M; Kolkata Knight Riders (Shah Rukh Khan) wins for $75M. Player auction distributes global talent.
[Acquired IPL episode]
2008Product
Inaugural IPL season — immediate global broadcast success
First season aired on Sony MAX. Twenty-team format. Bollywood opening ceremony. India beats Pakistan in the first game. First season broadcast deal valued at ~$1B.
[Acquired IPL episode]

2010s

2010Strategic shift
Lalit Modi suspended — governance crisis
The IPL's architect Lalit Modi is suspended by BCCI for financial irregularities. The league survives under new management, demonstrating that the format itself (not the founder) is the product.
[Acquired IPL episode]

2020s

2022Strategic shift
Two new franchises added — rights auction at $6.2B
IPL expands to 10 teams; new franchise rights sell for $1.5B+ combined. Media rights auction produces $6.2B for 5 years — surpassing Premier League per-match value.
[Acquired IPL episode + BCCI disclosures]