By: Shubham Ghosh
The Viacom18 secured the Women’s Indian Premier League (WIPL) media rights value for the 2023-2027 cycle for a whopping Rs 951 crore (£95.4 million), which means per match value of INR 7.09 crore (£711,571) for next 5 years.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will unveil the five WIPL franchises on January 25.
The news comes as a massive development for women’s cricket on Monday (16) as Women Indian Premier League (WIPL) media rights was auctioned.
The news was confirmed by BCCI secretary Jay Shah on his Twitter account on Monday.
“Congratulations @viacom18 for 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,” he tweeted.
Congratulations @viacom18 for 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 ???
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) January 16, 2023
After pay equity, today's bidding for media rights for Women's IPL marks another historic mandate. It's a big and decisive step for empowerment of women's cricket in India, which will ensure participation of women from all ages. A new dawn indeed! #WIPL @ICC @BCCIWomen
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) January 16, 2023
Viacom has pledged Rs 951 crore, and Rs 7.09 crore for each match, for the next five years.
The Women’s T20 Challenge was initially held as an exhibition tournament, but the BCCI last year eventually made the decision to introduce the WIPL, with the first season’s opening match scheduled for March.
The BCCI has not officially released the tournament’s schedule, but it is widely believed that the first season, which would consist of 22 matches, will take place between March 5 and March 23.
Uncapped cricketers have been given two alternatives, while players with caps–those who have represented India or are currently on a central contract–can select either Rs 30 lakh (£30,109), Rs 40 lakh (£40,145), or Rs 50 lakh (£50,181) as their base pricing (Rs 10 lakh or £10,036 and Rs 20 lakh or £20,073).
Prior to the WIPL, the base price has been separated into five categories, ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.
The auction’s registration cutoff date is January 26.
(ANI)