IPL v EPL, yet again

A report in the Independent says the English Premier League has sold its overseas rights for 2010-2013 for approximately $2.1 billion. That’s good news and bad news for the IPL. The bad news of course is that its own TV deal with Sony and the World Sports Group is dwarfed in comparison - approximately Rs 8200 crores (US$1.62 billion) for nine years vs $4.7 billion for three years (including the domestic rights). That sort of puts the IPL in context - but it’s also good news for Lalit Modi and his fledgling league because it gives them something to aim for as they go about smashing revenue records. The EPL, the established brand in roughly the same market, is clearly in Modi's sights.

The really good news for the IPL came from Brand Finance, the global brand valuation firm, which valued the league at $4.13 billion, more than double what it was in 2009. That is still some distance behind the EPL – $12 billion – but Modi will take heart from Brand Finance’s assessment that it has the potential to grow further. The EPL, of course, will have something to say on that.