The IPL 2020 proved to be a big money-spinner for the BCCI as it earned them “Rs 4,000 crore” in revenue. The tournament held completely in UAE due to COVID-19 conditions in India proved to be one of the most-watched editions of the tournament as well.
Being played behind closed doors, its TV viewership went up by 25% when compared to last year.
The tournament also saw upwards of 30,000 RT-PCR COVID-19 tests performed on players, officials, support staff, family members, and others during their stay in the desert country, and a total of 1800 individuals were tested.
This year’s IPL was also India’s first major sporting tournament since the Covid outbreak started spreading across the globe in February. Organizers have been banking on the five-year broadcast and media rights deal signed in 2017 with Star worth Rs 16,347 crore.
According to BCCI Treasurer Arun Dhumal, “The Board managed to cut nearly 35 percent of the cost as compared to the last IPL. We earned Rs 4,000 crore during the pandemic time. Our TV viewership went about 25 percent higher, we got the highest-ever opening game (Mumbai Indians versus Chennai Super Kings) viewership. Those who doubted us came and thanked us for hosting the IPL. Had this IPL not happened, cricketers would have lost one year.”
After receiving invitations from the UAE and Sri Lankan boards to host the IPL 13, the BCCI went with UAE, given its prior experience of hosting the tournament in 2014 and teams could travel by bus to reach the stadium, which cost less.
BCCI also came up with a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), while officials alerted IPL teams on booking chartered flights in advance and gave hotel options at a discounted rate.
Most teams had over 40 members in their squads, with Mumbai Indians emerging as the largest contingent with over 150 members, including a tailor, a make-up artist, and a hair-dresser.
“In case we had any Covid cases, the board had blocked 200 rooms separately so that patients can be quarantined and only join once they have fully recovered,” Dhumal said.
Dhumal also described the feeling in the IPL camp after 13 members of Chennai Super Kings’ camp tested positive for Coronavirus.
“When we heard the news, we tried to understand whether it is asymptomatic or serious. We were told all are asymptomatic. So all went under isolation and we went by all health authorities’ advice. We must thank the UAE, which stood with us every moment,” Dhumal said.
(Indian Express inputs)
