Maiden win helps RCB dethrone CSK as the most valuable IPL franchise: Report
Mumbai, Jul 08 (PTI): End of a 17-year drought has helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru propel the franchise’s valuation to USD 269 million, and helped it dethrone Chennai Super Kings from the top spot, a report said on Tuesday.
The standalone valuation of the Board of Cricket Control India-promoted Indian Premier League (IPL) has jumped 13.8 per cent to USD 3.9 billion, the report by Houlihan Lokey, an investment bank, said.
Value of the IPL as a business has risen to USD 18.5 billion, up 12.9 per cent, the report said.
The Ambani family-run Mumbai Indians’ valuation has surged to USD 242 million, which has helped the franchise become the second most valuable one.
A “disappointing” season made the India Cements’ N Srinivasan-owned CSK slip to number 3 in 2025, from top spot in the year-ago period, with the brand valued at USD 235 million, it said.
Shah Rukh Khan’s Kolkata Knight Riders secured the fourth place in brand value with USD 227 million, while Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) stood fifth with a valuation of USD 154 million.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) achieved the highest growth of 39.6 per cent in 2025, reaching USD 141.0 million and ranking ninth, largely due to their strong performance as runners-up under new captain Shreyas Iyer.
PBKS Chief Executive Satish Menon said the franchise saw IPL as a scalable business model with high visibility, secure revenue streams, and strong brand-building potential.
“We now operate with the mindset of a media-sport brand with multiple revenue verticals, not just a cricket team — and that’s where real profitability lies,” he said, adding that they have now built the franchise into a sustainable sports business.
The investment bank’s director for financial and valuation advisory, Harsh Talikoti, said franchise valuations have soared, media rights deals have reached record highs, and brand partnerships have diversified across sectors.
The report said the Tata Group extended its title-sponsorship commitment through 2028 in a lucrative five-year deal worth USD 300 million, while there was a 25 per cent jump at Rs 1,485 crore in the sale of four associate sponsorship slots given to My11Circle, Angel One, RuPay, and CEAT.
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TN polls: Vijay announces Rs 2,500 monthly assistance, 8 gm gold for women
Chennai (PTI): TVK chief Vijay on Thursday unveiled sweeping assurances in the party manifesto ahead of the April 23 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu that included Rs 2,500 monthly assistance for women below 60 years, 8 gm gold for marriage and six free cooking gas cylinders a year, per family.
The actor-turned-politician also assured a quality silk saree in addition to gold for indigent brides and interest-free loans up to Rs 5 lakh for women-run SHGs. He assured corruption-free good governance if voted to power in his maiden electoral fight.
The manifesto also laid importance on education. To prevent school dropouts, mothers or guardians of children studying in government and state-aided schools will receive Rs 15,000 annually.
Vijay promised 100 special residential schools named after iconic leader K Kamaraj, credited with revolutionising education in the state, and higher education loans of up to Rs 20 lakh. The TVK founder also assured AI Ministry, AI University and AI City.
The manifesto placed a strong emphasis on agrarian welfare, too.
The party promised a full waiver of agricultural cooperative crop loans for farmers owning less than five acres of land, while those holding more than five acres will receive a 50 per cent waiver. Additionally, the party promised a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 3,500 per quintal for paddy and Rs 4,500 per tonne for sugarcane.
Addressing youth unemployment, Vijay pledged to create five lakh new government jobs and offer as many stipendiary internships. Unemployed graduates will be provided a monthly aid of up to Rs 4,000. For government employees, the party assured consideration of the Old Pension Scheme and the regularisation of contract workers, including nurses.
On the health front, he promised a drug-free Tamil Nadu. Vijay also committed to modernising hospitals, providing free annual health checkups, and introducing a Rs 25 lakh family health insurance scheme.
The manifesto also included a Rs 3,000 monthly pension for the elderly and the differently-abled, 200 units of free power, patta (land deed) regularisation, and 100 per cent piped drinking water supply for all households.
Some of the policy intereventions promised by TVK include a legal guarantee to provide essential government services like community certificates, and land pattas, within a strictly specified timeframe.
Vijay also promised doorstep delivery of governance by implementing a system to deliver services, such as ration supplies, directly to the people. He also assured that ease of doing business will be paramount to his government and promised a strict guarantee that business licences will be issued within 21 days.
Elections to 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu will be held on April 23 and outcome known on May 4. Vijay is facing his maiden electoral battle, billing it as a direct fight between the ruling DMK and his TVK.
