Indian cricket enthusiasts have yet another reason to rejoice in 2023. This year, along with the annual IPL (Indian Premier League) Tournament, we’ll be hosting the first-ever edition of the Tata Women’s Indian Premier League (WPL) too. That means twice more the furore, excitement and entertainment!
Now, cricket pundits have been hoping WPL will revolutionise women’s cricket like IPL altered the perception of men’s cricket in India. But businessmen, investors, and even the curious have been wondering if Tata WPL can replicate the success of IPL.
This blog goes into the valuation details of the Tata WPL, the sponsors and other key financial details. So let’s get right into it.
Tata WPL 2023 Valuation
Tata WPL 2023 valuation has come as a fresh breath of air to Indian cricket enthusiasts, to say the least. Bids aggregated to about Rs. 4669.9 crores for the first edition of the WPL alone, bypassing the bids at the inaugural IPL bidding of $723.59 million in 2008.
TataWomen’s IPL sponsors
WPL 2023 has roped in several big names as sponsors for its inaugural tournament in 2023. The Tata Group, Dream11, and CEAT, also long-term IPL sponsors, have entered as partners for the Women’s Premier League.
Tata Group has again bagged itself the title of the Title Rights Partner for Women’s IPL, pitching in an unspecified amount every season. It jumped onto the sponsorship opportunity soon after the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) announced the sale of rights for Women’s IPL 2023. Dream11, on the other hand, has become the Fantasy League Partner and is expected to give up Rs. 6 crores every Women’s IPL season.
Furthermore, while Ceat has become the Strategic Timeout Partner, pitching in Rs. 4 crores every season, Amul is expected to be the Pouring Partner contributing Rs. 2.5 crores in addition to pouring expenses. As a pouring partner, Amul is expected to shoulder the beverage expenses during the tournament.
Besides, Viacom18 has bagged the streaming partner title for a period of 5 years for itself by signing a Rs. 951 crores deal with the Indian Cricket Board.
Table 1: Women’s IPL Sponsors List
Sr. No.
Sponsorship
Sponsor Name
Details
1.
Title Rights Partner
Tata Group
Unspecified
2.
Fantasy league Partner
Dream11
Rs. 6 crores per season
3.
Strategic Timeout Partner
Ceat
Rs. 4 crore per season
4.
Pouring Partner
Amul
Rs. 2.5 crores + pouring expenses extra
5.
Streaming Partner
Viacom18
Rs. 951 crores for 5 years
Tata WPL Team Bidding
Adani Sportsline Pvt. Ltd., the sports arm of Adani, won the bid for the Ahmedabad team by paying a whopping Rs. 1289 crores. On the other hand, Indiawin Sports Pvt. Ltd., owned by Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance, won the bid for the Mumbai team by pitching in Rs. 912.99 crores.
While Royal Challengers Sports Pvt. Ltd., pitched in Rs. 901 crores for the Bengaluru WPL team, JSW GMR Pvt. Ltd. bought the Delhi team for Rs. 810 crores and Capri Global Holdings Pvt. Ltd. pitched a sombre Rs. 757 crores for the Lucknow team.
Table 2: Tata WPL Team Valuation
S. No.
Successful Bidder
City
Amount in INR
1.
Adani Sportsline Pvt. Ltd
Ahmedabad, Gujarat Giants
Rs. 1289 crores
2.
Indiawin Sports Pvt. Ltd
Mumbai, Mumbai Indians
Rs. 912.99 crores
3
Royal Challengers Sports Pvt. Ltd
Bengaluru, Royal Challengers Bangalore
Rs. 901 crores
4.
JSW GMR Cricket Pvt. Ltd
Delhi, Delhi Capitals
Rs. 810 crores
5.
Capri Global Holdings Pvt. Ltd
Lucknow, UP Warriorz
Rs. 757 crores
Now that we have covered the Tata WPL 2023 valuation, sponsor list and the bidding for the teams, let’s look at the top 5 highest paid women cricketers in this WPL.
Sponsors have been spending big money bidding on players for WPL 2023. For perspective, Indian batter Smriti Mandhana was bought by Royal Challengers Sports Pvt. Ltd for a whopping Rs. 3.4 crores sum.
Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner and England all-rounder Nat Sciver Brunt came a close second and became part of Gujarat Giants and Mumbai Indians, respectively, for Rs. 3.2 crores each. Deepti Sharma, the Indian all-rounder, joined UP Warriorz for a giant Rs. 2.6 crores sum, and star batter Jemimah Rodrigues, joined Delhi Capitals for Rs. 22 crores.
Tata WPL wins big sponsorships in 2023
The first Tata Women’s Premier League (WPL) tournament received generous sponsorships from top bidders surpassing the bids made during the inaugural IPL. Tata Group has bagged the title of the Title Sponsor, and Viacom18 has spent an astounding $2.7 billion sum to steam the WPL tournament for free in exchange for ad revenue.
That said, even the highest bids for women players this year have been low compared to their male counterparts. For perspective, Indian batter Smriti Mandhana, this year’s highest-paid cricketer, became part of Royal Challengers Bangalore for Rs. 3.4 crores.
It’s safe to say that the BCCI has generated interest by announcing the WPL to further women’s cricket. But how well the tournament will be received, only time will tell.
10 March 2023
4 mins read
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