Former Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner Lalit Modi praised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for their excellent management of the league, commending their efforts to bring IPL matches to new cities and markets across the country. Speaking on Backstage with Boria on Revsportz, Lalit highlighted the IPL’s global recognition and unmatched valuation, attributing much of its success to the BCCI’s effective administration under the current leadership. He lauded the BCCI for expanding the tournament’s reach and enhancing its overall scale.
However, Lalit suggested that there is room for innovation in team owners’ approaches to merchandising within the IPL. He emphasized the need for a more centralized IPL merchandising strategy and improvements in ticketing processes to elevate the fan experience. Lalit encouraged team owners to collaborate on merchandising initiatives to capitalize on untapped opportunities and enhance fan engagement collectively.
Additionally, Lalit proposed the idea of establishing a secondary league in tier two or tier three cities, utilizing the September-October window designated for the Champions League. He suggested considering promoting the winning team of this league to the IPL for the subsequent season as a strategy to further enhance the tournament’s growth and engage fans in emerging regions. Lalit emphasized the importance of tapping into new markets to expand the IPL’s fan base and maximize its potential across diverse demographics.
Highlighting the significance of Indian players in the IPL, Lalit underscored the tournament’s transformation into an “aspirational tale” for local talent. He emphasized the success of Indian players in driving the tournament’s competitiveness and fan appeal, shifting the focus from international stars to the Indian core. Lalit praised the South African League (SA20) and Caribbean Premier League (CPL) for similarly prioritizing local talent, emphasizing the critical role of indigenous players in ensuring the success and sustainability of cricket leagues.
Expressing reservations about cricket’s inclusion in the Los Angeles Olympics, Lalit questioned the potential for growth in a region without strong local ties to the sport. He suggested that cricket’s debut in the Olympics would have been more viable in cricket-centric nations like Australia or England, where the sport enjoys significant popularity. Lalit highlighted the influence of expatriates in driving cricket events in regions like New York, underscoring the importance of local connections in fostering the sport’s development and success on a global scale.
