Two years ago, when Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Ltd made the highest bid for an Indian Premier League ‘Mumbai Indians’ franchise for Rs. 441 crore, many termed it as a massive gamble on a risky concept. The concept was so successful that, Sahara group’s bid for Rs. 1,702 crore for Pune team and Rendezvous Sports forking out Rs 1,533 crore for Kochi team has been an eye opener to gauge the success of IPL.
Adani Power, Videocon Digital is still in the queue. With Pune and Kochi teams join the IPL from 2011, the sum value of these two team’s is more than the total value of eight teams put together.
Pune + Kochi = Rs. 3,235 crores
Mumbai Indians + Bangalore Royal Challanegers + Deccan Chargers + Chennai Super Kings + Delhi Dare Devils + Kings XI Punjab + Kolkata Knight Riders + Rajasthan Royals = Rs. 2,853 crores
These franchises will be valid for ten more years from now on. Star like Salman Khan and Saif Ali Khan will enter the business this time as brand ambassadors for new teams. Pune team is of Sahara Group alone while Kochi team will be headed under the name of Rendezvous Sports a consortium of Real Estate Businessmen mediated by Shashi Tharoor.
It seems, there is no recession at IPL folks…