Franchise T20 leagues are all the rage in India these days. The Delhi Premier League (DPL) and Uttar Pradesh T20 League have just ended, while the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League and Dehradun T20 League are ongoing. Odisha's league is also going to start soon. These leagues, being run on the lines of the Indian Premier League (IPL), were first started from Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) launched TNPL in 2016. Star Sports Network was then the broadcasting partner of TNPL. Looking at TNPL, Karnataka also started its own T20 league. Strong cricket associations like Mumbai, Maharashtra, Vidarbha and Bengal also have their own league T20.
Punjab Cricket Association has also started its T20 league this year. If seen, now almost every cricket association has its own franchise league. In such a situation, the big question is where does the money come from to organize these leagues?
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This is how money is juggled
Every cricket association affiliated with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has no shortage of money. He gets huge amount of money from BCCI every year, so that he can improve his cricket. Domestic T20 leagues are coming into existence with this money. Sponsorship also plays a big role. Apart from this, cricket associations are also adopting the model of selling franchise rights, which is making huge money.
Franchises in Telangana's TG20 league, which started in 2026, were sold for 5 years and the Hyderabad team was the highest bidder. Its price was Rs 7.5 crore annually. Other franchise rights also went for around Rs 6-7 crore. However, some cricket associations are not running their leagues on this model. They are running their business only with BCCI money. Broadcasting rights are not making money.
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What is the purpose of organizing T20 league?
Cricket associations are organizing franchise leagues to improve their T20 teams. These leagues are the biggest platform for local players to make a place in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy team. Besides, the doors of IPL are also opening from these leagues.