Viacom 18 Bags Media Rights for Upcoming WPL

By: WE Staff | Monday, 16 January 2023

The media rights for the upcoming Women’s IPL was awarded to Viacom18 in an auction which was held today. Viacom18 acquired the media rights for Women’s IPL for a period of five years (2023-27) by outbidding Disney Star, Sony and Zee. 

Jai Shah, BCCI Secretary took to microblogging platform and shared the details of the deal. Viacom 18 closed the bid by committing Rs 951 crore. It will pay Rs 7.09 crore per match value to the BCCI.

“After pay equity, today’s bidding for media rights for Women’s IPL marks another historic mandate,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah said. “It’s a big and decisive step for empowerment of women’s cricket in India, which will ensure participation of women from all ages. A new dawn indeed!”

The base price for the WIPL auction has been divided into five categories from Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 50 lakh. The deadline for registration for the auction is January 26.

Based on the “guidance notes” shared by the BCCI for the auction registration system with the state associations, the reserve prices a female cricketer can choose have been specified.

While capped players - those who have played for India or currently have a central contract - can choose either Rs. 30 lakh, Rs. 40 lakh or Rs. 50 lakh as their base price. The uncapped cricketers can pick between Rs. 10 lakh and Rs. 20 lakh.

The Women’s Indian Premier League is going to be held in March this year. The BCCI will reportedly announce the five WIPL franchises on January 25.