The Board of Control for CRICKET in India (BCCI) launched the Indian Premier League (IPL) on September 14, 2007. Based on the lines of the English Premier League (EPL) and the National Basketball League (NBA), the IPL is said to be the brainchild of BCCI vice-president Lalit Modi. The idea was first floated in 1996 but was shot down as the board felt it would go against the zonal system of domestic cricket. The project moved into TOP GEARwhen the Zee group launched a rival Indian Cricket League on similar lines in April 2007.
The ICL was set up by Zee Telefilms who have been denied the Indian TV rights for a number of cricketing events despite being the highest bidder. After failing to gain TV rights for the 20-20 2007 World Cup they decided to create their own league to broadcast.
How is it different from the football and hockey leagues in India?
The IPL, in a way, is not very different in its format vis-a-vis the PHL or the I-League in football. It is, however, totally different in its concept as the teams have been offered to franchisees (individuals or corporates) through a bidding process that culminated on Thursday. The BCCI has already signed up 80 international players who will also be put for auction soon.
Sony Entertainment, a division of Japan’s Sony Corp, and the Asia-based World Sports Group (WSG) won the broadcast rights for ten years, worth more than a whopping US $1 billion. TV rights are worth $918 million, with $100 million set aside for promotion.
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