Top 5 richest cricket boards in the world 2024

Cricket is one of the most popular and lucrative sports in the world, especially in countries like India, Australia, England, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and South Africa. The sport is governed by the International Cricket Council (ICC), which is the global body responsible for organizing and regulating international cricket tournaments, such as the Cricket World Cup, the T20 World Cup, and the Test Championship. The ICC also distributes its revenue among its member cricket boards, which are the national organizations that manage and promote cricket in their respective countries.

However, not all cricket boards are equal in terms of their financial strength and influence. Some cricket boards have more resources, revenue streams, and bargaining power than others, which gives them an edge over their counterparts in various aspects of the game. In this article, we will look at the top 5 richest cricket boards in the world 2024, based on their estimated total earnings from various sources, such as ICC income distribution, media rights, sponsorships, tournaments, and other income. We will also discuss how these cricket boards generate their revenue and how they spend it on developing and supporting cricket in their regions.

1. India Cricket Board (BCCI)

The BCCI is the richest cricket board in the world by a huge margin, with an estimated total earnings of Rs 3,730 crore ($500 million) in 2021. The BCCI is the governing body for cricket in India, which is the largest and most passionate market for cricket in the world. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was established in 1928 and has its headquarters in Mumbai. It is responsible for organizing domestic and international cricket matches involving the Indian national team and various state teams.

The BCCI generates its revenue mainly from three sources: ICC income distribution, media rights, and sponsorships. The ICC income distribution is the share of revenue that the ICC allocates to each member board based on their contribution to global cricket. The BCCI receives the highest share of ICC income distribution among all cricket boards, amounting to $405 million between 2016 and 2024. This is because India generates more than 70% of the global cricket revenue through its huge fan base and market potential.

The media rights are the fees that broadcasters pay to acquire the rights to telecast cricket matches involving a particular board or team. The BCCI has sold its media rights for domestic and international matches in India to Star, India for a whopping Rs 6,138 crore ($820 million) for a period of five years from 2018 to 2022. This translates to Rs 60 crore ($8 million) per match, which is the highest among all cricket boards.

The sponsorships are the deals that brands make with a board or team to associate themselves with them and gain exposure and goodwill. The BCCI has several lucrative sponsorship deals with various brands, such as Dream11 (title sponsor), Byju’s (kit sponsor), Paytm (series sponsor), MPL Sports (merchandise partner), Unacademic (official partner), etc. These deals bring in significant revenue for the BCCI every year.

The BCCI also earns revenue from other sources, such as hosting tournaments like the Indian Premier League (IPL), which is one of the most successful and profitable T20 leagues in the world. The IPL generates around Rs 4,000 crore ($535 million) per season from media rights, sponsorships, franchise fees, ticket sales, etc. The BCCI also receives a share of the revenue from other ICC events, such as the World Cup and the T20 World Cup.

2. Australia Cricket Board (CA)

Cricket Australia is the second-richest cricket board in the world, with an estimated total earnings of Rs 2,843 crore ($380 million) in 2021. Cricket Australia is the governing body for cricket in Australia, which is one of the most successful and competitive teams in international cricket history. Cricket Australia was formed in 1905 and is headquartered in Melbourne. It is responsible for organizing domestic and international cricket matches involving the Australian national team and various state teams.

Cricket Australia generates its revenue mainly from three sources: ICC income distribution, media rights, and sponsorships. Cricket Australia receives a fair share of ICC income distribution among all cricket boards, amounting to $128 million between 2016 and 2024. This is because Australia is one of the founding members of the ICC and has a strong cricketing tradition and culture.

The media rights are the fees that broadcasters pay to acquire the rights to telecast cricket matches involving a particular board or team. Cricket Australia has sold its media rights for domestic and international matches in Australia to Fox Sports and Seven Network for a combined Rs 6,000 crore ($800 million) for a period of six years from 2018 to 2024. This translates to Rs 83 crore ($11 million) per match, which is the second highest among all cricket boards.

The sponsorships are the deals that brands make with a board or team to associate themselves with them and gain exposure and goodwill. Cricket Australia has several lucrative sponsorship deals with various brands, such as Vodafone (title sponsor), KFC (kit sponsor), Toyota (series sponsor), Commonwealth Bank (official partner), etc. These deals bring in significant revenue for Cricket Australia every year.

Cricket Australia also earns revenue from other sources, such as hosting tournaments like the Big Bash League (BBL), which is one of the most popular and entertaining T20 leagues in the world. The BBL generates around Rs 1,000 crore ($135 million) per season from media rights, sponsorships, franchise fees, ticket sales, etc. Cricket Australia also receives a share of the revenue from other ICC events, such as the World Cup and the T20 World Cup.

3. England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)

England and Wales Cricket Board is the third-richest cricket board in the world, with an estimated total earnings of Rs 2,135 crore ($285 million) in 2021. England and Wales Cricket Board is the governing body for cricket in England and Wales, which are the birthplaces of cricket and have a rich and glorious history in the sport. England and Wales Cricket Board was formed in 1997 and is headquartered in London. It is responsible for organizing domestic and international cricket matches involving the England national team and various county teams.

England and Wales Cricket Board generates its revenue mainly from three sources: ICC income distribution, media rights, and sponsorships. England and Wales Cricket Board receives a fair share of ICC income distribution among all cricket boards, amounting to $139 million between 2016 and 2024. This is because England and Wales are the oldest members of the ICC and have a huge influence and legacy in global cricket.

The media rights are the fees that broadcasters pay to acquire the rights to telecast cricket matches involving a particular board or team. England and Wales Cricket Board has sold its media rights for domestic and international matches in England and Wales to Sky Sports and BBC for a combined Rs 5,000 crore ($670 million) for a period of five years from 2019 to 2024. This translates to Rs 55 crore ($7 million) per match, which is the third highest among all cricket boards.

The sponsorships are the deals that brands make with a board or team to associate themselves with them and gain exposure and goodwill. England and Wales Cricket Board has several lucrative sponsorship deals with various brands, such as Vitality (title sponsor), New Balance (kit sponsor), Royal London (series sponsor), NatWest (official partner), etc. These deals bring in significant revenue for England and Wales Cricket Board every year.

England and Wales Cricket Board also earns revenue from other sources, such as hosting tournaments like The Hundred, which is a new and innovative T20 league that was launched in 2021. The Hundred generates around Rs 500 crore ($67 million) per season from media rights, sponsorships, franchise fees, ticket sales, etc. England and Wales Cricket Board also receives a share of the revenue from other ICC events, such as the World Cup and the T20 World Cup.

4. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)

Pakistan Cricket Board is the fourth-richest cricket board in the world, with an estimated total earnings of Rs 811 crore ($108 million) in 2021. Pakistan Cricket Board is the governing body for cricket in Pakistan, which is one of the most talented and unpredictable teams in international cricket. Pakistan Cricket Board was formed in 1948 and is headquartered in Lahore. It is responsible for organizing domestic and international cricket matches involving the Pakistan national team and various regional teams.

Pakistan Cricket Board generates its revenue mainly from three sources: ICC income distribution, media rights, and sponsorships. Pakistan Cricket Board receives a fair share of ICC income distribution among all cricket boards, amounting to $87 million between 2016 and 2024. This is because Pakistan is one of the oldest members of the ICC and has a loyal and passionate fan base.

The media rights are the fees that broadcasters pay to acquire the rights to telecast cricket matches involving a particular board or team. Pakistan Cricket Board has sold its media rights for domestic and international matches in Pakistan to PTV Sports and Sony Pictures Networks for a combined Rs 1,500 crore ($200 million) for a period of three years from 2020 to 2024. This translates to Rs 41 crore ($5.5 million) per match, which is the fourth highest among all cricket boards.

The sponsorships are the deals that brands make with a board or team to associate themselves with them and gain exposure and goodwill. Pakistan Cricket Board has several lucrative sponsorship deals with various brands, such as Pepsi (title sponsor), AJ Sports (kit sponsor), Brighto Paints (series sponsor), Jio (official partner), etc. These deals bring in significant revenue for Pakistan Cricket Board every year.

Pakistan Cricket Board also earns revenue from other sources, such as hosting tournaments like the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which is one of the most competitive and exciting T20 leagues in the world. The PSL generates around Rs 500 crore ($67 million) per season from media rights, sponsorships, franchise fees, ticket sales, etc. Pakistan Cricket Board also receives a share of the revenue from other ICC events, such as the World Cup and the T20 World Cup.

5. South Africa Cricket Board (SACB)

South Africa Cricket Board is the fifth-richest cricket board in the world, with an estimated total earnings of Rs 760 crore ($101 million) in 2021. South Africa Cricket Board is the governing body for cricket in South Africa, which is one of the most consistent and formidable teams in international cricket. South Africa Cricket Board was formed in 1991 and is headquartered in Johannesburg. It is responsible for organizing domestic and international cricket matches involving the South Africa national team and various provincial teams.

South Africa Cricket Board generates its revenue mainly from three sources: ICC income distribution, media rights, and sponsorships. South Africa Cricket Board receives a fair share of ICC income distribution among all cricket boards, amounting to $83 million between 2016 and 2024. This is because South Africa is one of the founding members of the ICC and has a strong cricketing tradition and culture.

The media rights are the fees that broadcasters pay to acquire the rights to telecast cricket matches involving a particular board or team. South Africa Cricket Board has sold its media rights for domestic and international matches in South Africa to Super Sport for a reported Rs 2,000 crore ($267 million) for a period of six years from 2018 to 2024. This translates to Rs 28 crore ($3.7 million) per match, which is the fifth highest among all cricket boards.

The sponsorships are the deals that brands make with a board or team to associate themselves with them and gain exposure and goodwill. South Africa Cricket Board has several lucrative sponsorship deals with various brands, such as Betway (title sponsor), New Balance (kit sponsor), Momentum (series sponsor), Toyota (official partner), etc. These deals bring in significant revenue for South Africa Cricket Board every year.

South Africa Cricket Board also earns revenue from other sources, such as hosting tournaments like the Mzansi Super League (MSL), which is a new and emerging T20 league that was launched in 2018. The MSL generates around Rs 200 crore ($27 million) per season from media rights, sponsorships, franchise fees, ticket sales, etc. South Africa Cricket Board also receives a share of the revenue from other ICC events, such as the World Cup and the T20 World Cup.

Conclusion

In conclusion, cricket is a sport that generates a lot of revenue for the national cricket boards that govern and promote it in their respective countries. The top 5 richest cricket boards in the world in 2024 are BCCI, CA, ECB, PCB, and SACB, which earn their income from various sources, such as ICC income distribution, media rights, sponsorships, tournaments, and other income. These cricket boards use their revenue to develop and support cricket in their regions and beyond, as well as to compete with each other in various formats and events. Cricket is a sport that unites and divides people across the globe, and the role of the cricket boards is crucial in ensuring its growth and sustainability.