BCCI Gives Rs 7.5 Lakh Match Fee Boost For IPL Players

After a Rs 93 lakh deficit in 1993, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has seen better times, thanks to its ability to command a higher price from the market, especially from the global media rights. The big breakthrough was made in 1999 when under the stewardship of Jagmohan Dalmiya, the public broadcaster Prasar Bharati was given the media rights for Rs 230 crore for five years. And in 2002 the BCCI introduced the Central Contract and match fee for its senior team, match fee in the domestic tournaments and allocated something for the juniors. After three decades, the BCCI’s media rights income for five years is Rs 5,963 crore and the IPL media rights has shot up for the 2023-2027 cycle to close to Rs 50000 crore. But the good development was the BCCI showing its readiness to share money with the players, men and women, retired cricketers and their spouses. India’s women cricketers at the national level get the same match fee and allowances as the men and they also compete in the Women’s Premier League. The BCCI has now extended the match fee to the IPL with the franchises told to set aside Rs 12.5 crore with each player in the XI to get a sum of Rs 7.5 lakh per match. The BCCI and IPL are the big brands in India’s sports canvas, and the authorities have responded in many ways to look after its constituency, the players in particular. The Rs.7.5 lakh match fee is meant to assuage the feelings of the players who are not among the high-price-band cricketers and also the uncapped (not playing for India) players who generally get Rs 20 lakh,  has been increased to Rs 30 lakh at the recent AGM in Bengaluru.