From Passion to Profit... the franchise cricket salary boom of the 2010's

ISSUE No 3

Cricket has always been more than just a sport; it’s a passion that unites nations. Yet, for most of its history, being a professional cricketer didn’t guarantee financial security, let alone wealth. Before the franchise era, cricket salaries paled in comparison to other global sports. The 1980’s, top cricketers earned around USD $20,000 - $30,000 annually including endorsements. By the 1990’s, elite players saw slight improvements, earning USD $50,000 – USD $75,000 per year. The disparity was stark compared to other sports like football and basketball where NBA players were making over USD $1 million annually.

Then came the 2010’s, a decade that completely redefined cricket’s financial landscape. The rise of franchise leagues like the Indian Premier League (IPL), Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL), and other T20 tournaments transformed the game from a modest- paying profession into a lucrative career choice.

The IPL, launched in 2008, showed that cricket’s shortest format could not only draw global audiences but also unlock unprecedented commercial opportunities. By 2015, local IPL stars like MS Dhoni & Virat Kohli, overseas powerhouses such as Chris Gayle & AB DeVilliers were earning USD $1-3 million from IPL contracts alone.

Compare that to the test cricketers in the early 2000’s (arguably the strongest era of test cricket) who earned less that USD $100,000 annually and the leap is staggering.

The cricketing financial boom wasn’t a fluke—it was a perfect storm of commercialization, globalization, and evolving audience preferences. T20 leagues like the IPL revolutionized the game by unlocking massive revenue streams from broadcast deals, sponsorships, and packed stadiums. Suddenly, players from smaller nations found themselves on the world stage, rubbing shoulders with superstars. And speaking of superstars, cricketers like Virat Kohli and Ben Stokes became more than just athletes—they became global brands, raking in millions from endorsements.

The 2010’s set the stage for cricket to become a more financially rewarding sport, while football and basketball provides higher financial reward, crickets’ trajectory is undeniable. Franchise leagues continue to expand, and with them, the earning potential of players.

For aspiring cricketers today, the dream isn’t just about representing their country; its about making a living and a very comfortable one. The franchise cricket boom hasn’t just changed the game on the field, but changed lives off it.