From BCCI To CA: Top 10 Richest Cricket Boards In 2021

The game of cricket has caught up the pace like it never had before. The advent of T20 cricket has changed the landscape of the sport affecting the other two formats as well.

While T20 cricket was the harbinger of the dynamism in cricket, it was the Indian Premier League (IPL) and its success that brought in the money factor – massively. It even changed how international T20s are been looked at by the players.

With the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) making unprecedented money from the IPL, other boards too got their hands in the T20 league business introducing their own. Some have succeeded some remain without significant attention.

In terms of money clearly, the ‘Big Three’ – the BCCI, Cricket Australia (CA), and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) – are the richest ones while others could only support them, and follow them.

Here, we look at the top 10 richest cricket boards for the year 2021(figures are approximate in INR):

10. Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) – INR 100 Crores

Formed in 1975, the Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) will make about INR 100 Crores this year. With the Sri Lanka team not doing well at the international level, and the pandemic affecting the country adversely, the board had to make several cuts in contracts of players and staff.

The successful organizing of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) last year was a major boost to the board’s finances. They are set to host the tournament again in the coming months. On the field, Sri Lanka lost an ODI series recently to Bangladesh; they will fly to England for a white-ball tour.

9. Zimbabwe Cricket Board (ZCB) – INR 113 Crores

The Zimbabwe Cricket Board (ZCB) hasn’t had any better times than the Sri Lankan one did. In fact, their dire condition recently came to light when Ryan Burl posted images of torn shoes on Twitter and had to use glue to keep them together for another game.

The board is reportedly to generate a revenue of INR 113 Crores and has big-name sponsors such as Coca-Cola, Castle Lager, uMax, ZimGold, and Vega Sportswear. However, due to its inner politics, poor upper-level management schemes, corruption, and other factors don’t allow any handy money to be passed on to the players and coaching staff. Zimbabwe couldn’t manage to make it to the 2019 World Cup in England as Afghanistan tipped them over.

8. West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) – INR 116 Crores

Founded in 1920, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) – changed from the West Indies Cricket Board of Control in 1996 – is one of the older cricket boards and will make INR 116 Crores this year. It has premier sponsors in Sandals, JetBlue, Betway, and Castore.

Previously there have had been issues between several players and the board regarding their contract salary, and hence the players have opted to play in the T20 leagues over representing West Indies. However, now with a new and trusted leader in Kieron Pollard, stalwarts such as Dwayne Bravo, and Andre Russell have made their returns to the West Indies side and preparing for the World T20.

Before that West Indies host South Africa, Pakistan, and Australia for 15 home T20Is.

7. New Zealand Cricket Board (NZC) – INR 210 Crores

The New Zealand cricket team is making big strides in world cricket, having reached two consecutive World Cup finals, and now the WTC final. Their best batsman Kane Williamson currently is the top-ranked ICC Test batsman.

The board, too, is making handsome money despite a low population to stream the games to and the competition from Rugby. NZC is touted to make around INR 210 Crores this year having companies such as ANZ, Ford, Accor Hotels, Gillette, Powerade, Spark Sport, and Dynasty Sport as its premier sponsors.

6. Cricket South Africa(CSA) – INR 485 Crores

Having world-renowned sponsors in Betway, Momentum, Sunfoil, KFC, Powerade, SuperSport, Coca Cola and Castle will help CSA make INR 485 Crores this year, an amount which they dearly needed in the pandemic hit the world, where Cricket Australia cancelled its tour. CSA was founded in 1991 and has its headquarters in Johannesburg.

On the field, they aren’t in an inspiring form having lost both away and home to Pakistan. The board has recently appointed two new captains in Temba Bavuma (limited-overs) and Dean Elgar (Test) in a long-term capacity. If things go right, and everyone is in form, South Africa could realistically fare better than expected in the upcoming T20 World Cup.

5. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) – INR 802 Crores

The Bangladesh team has taken giant strides in recent years, particularly at home. They have registered their first Test match victories over England and Australia, and are a force to reckon with in their home conditions.

Bangladesh is a cricket-loving country; its people are highly passionate about the game. Hence, the BCB will be making good money this year – nearly INR 802 crores – despite the pandemic-hit economy. Their Under-19 team won the World Cup last year, which will push the game further up in the country.

4. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) – INR 811 Crores

The PCB is estimated to bag in about INR 811 Crores this year. Founded in 1949 the board has its headquarters built in Lahore. The PCB suffered a major hit when the PSL 2021 was suspended mid-way in March after the PSL 2020 was also halted due to the pandemic.

Last season’s truncated tournament was concluded in time, for the beginning of the season this year, which will now be completed in June in the UAE.

Meanwhile, the side led by Babar Azam registered victories home and away against South Africa and then in Zimbabwe. They will next tour England and West Indies before the T20 World Cup.

3. England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) – INR 2135 Crores

Now, coming to the ‘Big Three’ – the three richest cricket board’s in the world, the ones who predominantly drive the world cricket, and have a major say in the decision of the ICC.

The ECB, founded in 1997, has its headquarters at Lord’s, the home of cricket. England won its maiden World Cup (50-over) in 2019 under Eoin Morgan, and the game saw a spike in interest from the younger generation in a country where football is the most popular sport.

They would be making a whopping INR 2135 Crores this year. ECB will also see the inaugural edition of The Hundred take place this year, after getting postponed from last year.

2. Cricket Australia (CA) – INR 2843 Crores

CA is reportedly going to make in the vicinity of INR 2843 Crores this year through its cricket from men and women. Australia has an all-important Ashes series lined up this year at home.

While they have lost their last home Test series to India, Australia remains a strong outfit across formats. The board is still reeling from the aftershocks of the ball-tampering event. The women’s team, on the other hand, took a leap by winning the T20 World Cup last year in front of 85,000 spectators, and the BBL and WBBL were conducted smoothly.

1. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) – INR 3730 Crores

The BCCI is the most wealthy, and the highest-earning board in the world, with an astonishing INR 3730 Crores being reported to be earned this year. The Virat Kohli-led side has been dominating in Test cricket – unbeaten in a series at home yet and series triumphs in Australia – and has become a world-beating outfit.

The board, led by former India captain Sourav Ganguly, hit a hurdle last month when the IPL 2021 was suspended following the covid-19 outbreak in four franchises. But, now, the tournament is set to resume in September in UAE. Top-tier companies like Byju’s, MPL Sports, Paytm, Dream 11, Hyundai, Ambuja Cements, and Star Sports are associated with the BCCI.

Virat Kohli will lead the side in the WTC final against New Zealand on 18th June in Southampton. The women’s team also will take on England in England for an all-format tour – playing their first Test in 7 years. They will then challenge Australia for a day-night contest later in the year.

Also Read: 5 Cricketers With The Most T20 Titles As A Player