The cash-rich league is certainly bolstered by franchises that have invested heavily in the league. Although there are limitations on the purse to buy a player, there is no limit when it comes to the brand valuation of these teams. The Mumbai Indians, for instance, have a star-studded management, featuring legends like Sachin Tendulkar, who has mentored the team, and Ricky Ponting, who had a fruitful tenure in the past. On the other hand, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are backed by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. So let’s take a look at the three top wealthiest franchises currently leading the IPL.
Mumbai Indians
Without question, the Mumbai Indians are the wealthiest franchise in the IPL. Apart from Pursue Limited, which currently has a budget of ₹100 crore to purchase players, the Mumbai Indians have achieved significant success with five trophies and a brand valuation of $87 million. MI stands as the richest IPL team, bolstered by sponsorships from brands like Reliance Jio, IDFC First Bank, DHL, Slice, and FanCode, which enhance its value.
However, we witnessed struggles during IPL 2024, particularly after Hardik Pandya was announced as captain and Rohit Sharma was removed, leading to a reduction in their fan base. The Mumbai Indians lost 400,000 followers on Twitter. Nonetheless, when it comes to financial value, there is still no franchise bigger than the MI giants.
Chennai Super Kings
Now, as five-time champions, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are a beloved team in Tamil Nadu, featuring a player-packed roster that includes legends like MS Dhoni and Matthew Hayden in the past. They are not only winning on the field but also leading in financial value, with a valuation of $81 million. CSK has established sponsorship deals with India Cements, Gulf Oil, and Coca-Cola. However, beyond their financial success, this yellow jersey team is known for its player management, thanks to their former skipper MS Dhoni, who has made significant contributions alongside CEO Kasi Vishwanathan and the rest of the management team.
Kolkata Knight Riders
The third team that has come into the limelight regarding franchise brand value is the “Korbo, Lorbo” team, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who recently won their third IPL trophy, boasting a brand valuation of $78.6 million. This valuation is certainly related to the team’s performance, as they are genuinely doing well, which is evident from their well-planned strategy for IPL 2024. There is speculation that by the end of IPL 2025, this valuation may increase even further.
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