Cricket is one of the most popular sports in the world, with over a billion fans globally. As such, the sport generates massive revenues that flow back into cricket boards and associations.
In this article, we analyze the annual financial reports of the top cricket boards to determine their wealth and breakdown where their money comes from.
10. New Zealand Cricket (NZC) – $9 million
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) is the governing body for cricket in New Zealand, managing both the men’s and women’s national teams.
Despite a population of less than 5 million, NZC can maintain financial sustainability through income generated from visiting teams and the sale of broadcast rights.
A significant portion of NZC’s annual revenue, which amounts to $9 million, is derived from television broadcast agreements for international matches played in New Zealand.
Additional income is generated through sponsorship and partnership deals with local brands.
This revenue is allocated towards funding high-performance programs, grassroots development initiatives, and the travel expenses of the national teams.
9. West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) – $15 million
The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) is the governing body for cricket in the Caribbean.
It represents several independent nations, which present unique challenges.
The WICB generates an annual revenue of $15 million, primarily from hosting international cricket tours and participating in International Cricket Council (ICC) events.
In recent years, domestic tournaments such as the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 league have emerged as a significant source of revenue.
Despite these income streams, the WICB continues to rely on financial assistance from the ICC to fund the development of cricket infrastructure and community programs across its diverse member nations.
8. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) – $20 million
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is the governing body for cricket in Sri Lanka, a country with a rich cricketing culture.
The majority of SLC’s $20 million annual revenue is derived from hosting international cricket tours.
The sale of broadcasting rights for these matches to pay TV networks in Sri Lanka also contributes significantly to their income.
In addition to this, SLC organizes franchise-based domestic tournaments.
These tournaments serve dual purposes – they help discover new talent and also engage cricket fans.
Sponsorships from large Sri Lankan conglomerates provide an additional boost to their budget.
Like many smaller cricket boards, SLC also receives annual grants from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
7. Zimbabwe Cricket Board (ZCB) – $38 million
Despite past political and economic upheavals, cricket continues to enjoy domestic popularity in Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe Cricket Board (ZCB) generates an annual revenue of $38 million.
This income is primarily derived from hosting fees paid by touring teams, broadcast rights for international matches, and sponsorship agreements with local businesses.
Zimbabwe also gains from its participation in International Cricket Council (ICC) events and benefits from an ongoing ICC development program.
This program aims to professionalize the administration of cricket in Zimbabwe, following years of mismanagement. Despite these revenue streams, the ZCB still depends on funding from the ICC to expand its community outreach programs.
6. Cricket South Africa (CSA) – $47 million
Cricket South Africa (CSA), the wealthiest cricket board in Africa, generates an annual revenue of $47 million.
This income is primarily derived from the sale of broadcast rights for home international matches, franchise fees from domestic T20 and first-class competitions, and sponsorship deals with prominent South African brands.
Each year, South Africa hosts several high-profile cricket tours, which contribute significantly to their hosting revenue.
The funds from CSA’s budget are allocated towards supporting a robust high-performance program aimed at nurturing world-class players.
Additionally, they invest in expanding the sport’s reach through community initiatives and school outreach programs across the country.
5. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) – $51 million
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), in a country passionate about cricket, has recently risen to become a financial powerhouse.
The BCB’s annual revenue of $51 million is primarily driven by income from broadcast rights for home matches and the widely-followed Bangladesh Premier League T20 competition.
Another significant source of revenue for the BCB comes from sponsorships with major Bangladeshi corporations.
The BCB invests a substantial portion of its revenue into youth and grassroots development programs, supporting Bangladesh’s growth as a formidable force in global cricket.
Additionally, the BCB benefits from revenue generated from hosting cricket matches and funding support programs provided by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
4. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) – $55 million
Despite facing ongoing political and security challenges, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has successfully increased its annual revenue to $55 million through astute commercial management.
The majority of this revenue is generated from broadcast rights, franchise fees from the Pakistan Super League, and sponsorship agreements.
Pakistan continues to be a popular destination for cricket tours, thanks to its enthusiastic fanbase.
The PCB makes careful investments in upgrading facilities, establishing high-performance centers, and promoting the sport across Pakistan.
This has been made possible due to prudent budget management and governance reforms implemented in recent years.
3. England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) – $59 million
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), located in the birthplace of cricket, is among the richest cricket boards earning annual revenues of $59 million.
The ECB’s primary sources of income encompass broadcast and digital rights for England’s cricket matches, sponsorship contracts with well-known UK brands, and franchise fees from domestic competitions.
The profitable English summer season frequently hosts international tours and global events, generating significant hosting revenue.
The ECB prioritizes reinvestment in community outreach programs, infrastructure for county cricket, and the development of world-class players and coaches in England.
2. Cricket Australia (CA) – $79 million
Cricket Australia (CA), the governing body for cricket in Australia, generates a substantial annual revenue of $79 million.
More than half of this revenue is derived from broadcasting and digital rights for home international matches, which attract large television audiences.
Australia’s busy international cricket schedule and several high-profile T20 leagues also contribute significantly to the hosting fees.
Sponsorship deals with major Australian corporations provide an additional boost to CA’s budget.
These funds are invested in high-performance facilities, grassroots programs, and the national cricket team.
1. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) – $2.25 billion
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the richest cricket board in the world, with an impressive annual revenue of $2.25 billion.
A significant portion of this revenue comes from the television rights for the Indian Premier League (IPL), which is valued at over $6 billion for a five-year cycle.
Additional income is generated from the broadcast and digital rights for India’s home international matches, contributing hundreds of millions to the total revenue.
Franchise fees from the IPL and other domestic tournaments also constitute a major part of the BCCI’s income.
The BCCI allocates its funds towards an unmatched player payment structure and supports all levels of cricket in India.
The financial might of cricket boards directly impacts the resources available to develop the sport.
While the IPL and BCCI tower above others, even smaller boards like NZC and WICB manage to sustain cricket through prudent governance and commercialization of the game. The future remains bright as the global fan base and revenues continue growing.