The underdogs had a field day in Indian Premier League (IPL) 15, which garnered a record sponsorship of over ₹1,000 crore, and a new title sponsor in the Tatas. New franchise Gujarat Titans defied all odds to win the tournament, even as fancied franchises Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings shocked fans with their poor run.
Will the next battle of IPL — the auction for media rights on June 12 — also throw similar surprises? A lot rides on these auctions, touted to be worth nearly ₹50,000 crore, for the 10-odd companies that have picked up the bid documents, especially for incumbent Disney Star.
Media consultants reckon the combined rights (global TV rights plus digital) could go for anywhere between ₹40,000 crore and ₹ 50,000 crore — a whopping rise compared to the ₹16,347.50 crore that Star had picked it up in 2018 for.