MUMBAI: The decks are finally getting cleared for the inaugural edition of Women's IPL — the BCCI's most ambitious project in recent times. On Monday, BCCI secretary Jay Shah announced that Viacom 18 have secured the media rights for the upcoming Women's IPL for Rs 951 crore for five years (2023-2027). Viacom 18's bid means it will pay Rs 7. 09 crore per match, Shah said.
"Congratulations @viacom18for winning the Women's @IPL media rights. Thank you for your faith in @BCCI and @BCCIWomen. Viacom has committed INR 951 crores which means per match value of INR 7. 09 crores for next 5 years (2023-27). This is massive for Women's Cricket," Shah tweeted.
The sealed bids were opened at a five-star hotel here on Monday. The only other bidder was Disney Star.
Going through the same procedure, which will involve opening sealed bids, the BCCI will announce the names of the five WIPL franchises on January 25. TOI has learnt that the bidders will be given a choice of 10 cities, from which the franchises will be chosen.
"This list includes 7 cities which have IPL franchises — Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Lucknow — and three other cities — Dharamshala, Guwahati and Indore," a source told TOI.
Apparently, all the 10 IPL franchises have bid for owning a team in the WIPL.
Inaugural edition likely to be in Mumbai across 3 venues
The inaugural edition of the WIPL is likely to be in Mumbai only. "The matches are likely to be held in just three stadiums-the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, Brabourne Stadium at the Cricket Club of India and the Wankhede Stadium in Churchgate. All the stadiums will stage double headers on most days," a source revealed.
"The tournament, which will have 22 matches, is likely to last not more than 15-20 days. It will start on March 5 or 7, and culminate on March 23, in all likelihood, just before the start of IPL2023. There will be 20 league games, one qualifier and the final," he informed.
Like in the IPL, the franchises will buy the players through an auction. The base price of the capped players has been kept at Rs 20 lakhs, Rs 30 lakhs and Rs 50 lakhs. There will be no icon player.
"Somehow, the Australian players need to play, otherwise it won't work, as they are the undisputed champions of women's cricket-they have the top allrounder, batter, bowler, fielder, everything. You need to ensure that they are paid well. A top player earns between Rs 60-70 lakh in a season of the Big Bash," a source said.
