The IPL Mega Auction 2025 concluded on November 25, and it was nothing short of a grand event. Rishabh Pant became the most expensive player in IPL history, sold for ₹27 crore. He broke the record set by Shreyas Iyer, who was bought for ₹26.75 crore just minutes earlier.
Other top players also commanded huge sums. Venkatesh Iyer was picked up for over ₹23 crore, while Heinrich Klaasen and Virat Kohli were retained for over ₹20 crore each. These players are earning amounts that most people can only dream of.
Who Pays the Players?
Interestingly, the franchises don’t directly pay these massive salaries. The IPL committee provides each team with a ₹120 crore budget to build their squads. Part of this goes towards retaining key players, while the rest is spent in the auction.
Players don’t receive their entire salary in one go. Payments are made in installments—before, during, and after the season. Foreign players also have 20% of their earnings sent to their country’s cricket board. If a player is injured before the season starts, the team doesn’t have to pay them. However, injuries during the season are covered by the franchise, including medical expenses.
Rishabh Pant’s ₹27 crore isn’t a one-time payout. It’s his annual salary until the next mega auction or until his team releases him. Over three years, he will earn ₹81 crore, minus taxes.
Why Do Teams Spend So Much?
Teams don’t just pay for performance on the field. Players bring brand value. Star players like Pant and Kohli attract fans, sponsors, and endorsements, boosting merchandise sales and increasing the team’s revenue. This makes players an investment for the franchise.
IPL: An Economic Powerhouse
The IPL is more than a cricket league—it’s a global business phenomenon. Valued at over $9 billion, it’s the second-richest sports league in the world. Each year, it contributes $5–10 billion to India’s GDP. From tickets to merchandise, advertisements, and broadcast deals, the league generates enormous revenue. The BCCI benefits greatly from this, further solidifying its position as the world’s wealthiest cricket board.
The IPL has also changed cricket careers. Even young and domestic players can earn enough in one season to secure their future. The league has become a launchpad for talent, creating more opportunities in cricket than ever before.
What’s Next for IPL?
In the future, we may see even higher bids for players, potentially reaching ₹50 crore. There’s ongoing debate about whether mega auctions should continue or if smaller, more frequent auctions would work better. Keeping teams stable helps fans connect with players, but auctions themselves are a big event that fans love to watch.
This year’s auction had 30 crore cumulative views, showing how much interest it generates. With IPL’s popularity growing every year, we might see more teams, international events, or new auction forma
The IPL is not just a cricket tournament—it’s a mix of entertainment, business, and sports. It keeps evolving, setting new standards for leagues worldwide. The future of IPL looks promising, with new possibilities and greater milestones to achieve. It’s an exciting journey for players, teams, and fans alike
- A Personal Journey Through 100+ Google Products and Services - December 16, 2024
- Data Mining, Machine Learning, and Big Data: Simplified Insights - November 28, 2024
- Understanding Cryptocurrency: What Does It Mean to Own a Bitcoin? - November 27, 2024
