The Indian Premier League (IPL) recently celebrated its 1000th game, and the founder of the league, Lalit Modi, got emotional as he reflected on the journey.
In 2008, Modi created an eight-team IPL, and since then, the league has grown astronomically. Its current value is over $10 billion, and the media rights cost has increased six-fold to $6.2 billion (Rs 48,390 crore). Additionally, the value of the two new teams added last year is close to $2 billion.
According to Lalit Modi, the founder of the IPL, the league will soon surpass the NFL in popularity. This is due to the league’s growth and the enthusiastic support of its fans. Modi said that the IPL is currently the second most popular league in the world, but it won’t be long before it becomes number one.
Modi’s prediction may seem ambitious, but the IPL has seen tremendous growth since its inception in 2008. The league has been beneficial for Indian cricket by providing a platform for young and international players to showcase their skills. It has also been a significant contributor to the Indian economy, creating jobs and generating revenue.
Although the NFL remains the most popular sports league globally, the IPL has amassed a large following worldwide. With Modi’s unwavering faith in the IPL’s potential and its continued growth, it will be intriguing to see how the league fares in the future. However, one thing is for certain: the IPL has made great strides, and its future looks bright.
