TNFSukhan Kakkar/ TNF
Cricket, one of the most popular sports in the world, has become not just a game of skill, but also a lucrative business. The modern-day cricketer enjoys enormous wealth, with various revenue streams contributing to their financial success. From playing for national teams to lucrative endorsements, cricketers earn money in several ways. Let’s dive into how these athletes make their money and what contributes to their impressive fortunes.
- Match Fees and Salary
The primary source of income for any cricketer is match fees. National cricket boards, like the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), offer their players a salary based on their contracts. For instance, players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are part of the top-paid category under central contracts.
Cricketers are paid for each match they play, including Test, One Day International (ODI), and T20 formats. The fees vary depending on the format, with T20 leagues, particularly the Indian Premier League (IPL), often paying higher amounts due to the shorter and more exciting format. For example, a top player can earn millions of dollars just from match fees each year.
- The Indian Premier League (IPL)
The IPL has redefined how cricketers earn money. This highly popular tournament, played annually in India, allows cricketers to make significantly more than what they earn from national team duties. The IPL auction, where franchises bid for players, has turned into a multi-million-dollar affair.
Players like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma have earned staggering sums from IPL contracts. A player’s salary in the IPL can range from a few thousand dollars for younger or lesser-known players to millions for top-tier stars. For instance, in the 2023 IPL auction, England’s star all-rounder Ben Stokes was bought by Chennai Super Kings for ₹16.25 crores (approximately 2 million USD).
Apart from the salary, cricketers also receive performance bonuses, further enhancing their earnings. The IPL not only gives them substantial salaries but also helps increase their global popularity, bringing in additional sponsorships and endorsements.
- Endorsements and Sponsorships
One of the biggest income sources for cricketers, especially top-tier stars, is endorsements. Major brands in various sectors such as sportswear, beverages, automobiles, and more, sign endorsement deals with cricketers to promote their products.
Cricketers like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, and Sachin Tendulkar have been the faces of global brands like Nike, Puma, Pepsi, and BMW, among others. Virat Kohli, for example, has an extensive list of endorsements, with some estimates suggesting his endorsement earnings surpass his cricket-related income. Kohli reportedly earns around ₹150-200 crore annually from endorsements alone.
These deals not only provide cricketers with high-paying contracts but also increase their marketability and global visibility. Endorsements can range from a few lakhs to several crores per year, depending on the player’s fame and influence.
- Social Media and Digital Platforms
In the age of social media, cricketers have leveraged their massive followings to generate additional income. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube have become powerful tools for monetizing their popularity. Many cricketers now partner with brands for social media promotions and campaigns, often earning significant sums for sponsored posts.
Virat Kohli, with millions of followers across social media platforms, earns handsomely from paid promotions. Other cricketers, including Yuvraj Singh and Hardik Pandya, have also built strong social media profiles and regularly post promotional content for a variety of brands.
YouTube channels are another growing source of revenue for cricketers. Players like Sachin Tendulkar have their own channels, where they share training tips, personal experiences, and even behind-the-scenes content, generating income from ads, sponsorships, and brand collaborations.
- Personal Business Ventures
Many cricketers have diversified their income by investing in or starting their own businesses. MS Dhoni, for example, has invested in multiple businesses, including a fitness brand, sports management, and even a football team in the Indian Super League (ISL). Similarly, Yuvraj Singh has launched a line of fitness products and co-owns a restaurant chain.
Cricketers also use their fame to start their own clothing lines or endorse fashion brands. Shilpa Shetty, though primarily known for her acting career, made a fortune with her fitness brand, which was supported by her husband, Raj Kundra, a businessman. The cricketers’ strong brand image and influence enable them to make wise investments and expand their wealth beyond the sport.
- Real Estate and Other Investments
Real estate has become another significant source of income for cricketers. Many cricketers, including Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni, have invested heavily in luxury homes, commercial properties, and even international real estate markets. These investments provide them with a steady stream of income in the form of rent and property value appreciation.
Some cricketers also invest in stocks, mutual funds, and other financial instruments. With their earnings, many cricketers hire financial advisors to make wise investment decisions, ensuring their wealth continues to grow long after their playing careers end.
- Post-Retirement Income
Even after retiring from the game, cricketers often continue to earn from various sources. Many of them take up commentary, analyst roles, or coaching positions. Some cricketers, like Shane Warne and Ravi Shastri, have built lucrative post-retirement careers in media, giving them a platform to stay in the public eye and generate income.
Additionally, cricketers often get invited to events, tournaments, and award shows as special guests, where they earn a substantial fee for their participation.
Cricketers today earn money not just from playing the sport but also through various streams such as endorsements, social media, business ventures, and investments. The money they make reflects their status as global icons and the growing commercial nature of cricket.
The financial journey of cricketers is a perfect example of how sports and business have merged in the modern world. With a blend of skill, strategy, and savvy business acumen, cricketers have found ways to secure their financial future and continue to inspire millions of fans worldwide.
