Professor Mayank Shrivastava from the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru has started an interesting conversation online about the Indian Premier League (IPL). Every year, the IPL brings excitement with packed stadiums and millions of dollars in advertisements. But Shrivastava raises an important question: What if some of the money from IPL was used to support research and innovation in India?
In IPL 2023, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made an impressive profit of ₹5,120 crore, with total earnings hitting ₹11,770 crore. This amount is mostly from media rights. Looking ahead, IPL is expected to earn even more — around ₹12,000 to ₹13,500 crore in 2024 and 2025.
Right now, BCCI does not pay income tax because of its charitable status. Also, many IPL teams owned by wealthy people enjoy special tax benefits. Although players pay taxes on their salaries, the profits of the franchises and BCCI don’t get taxed much.
If a simple 40% tax were applied to BCCI’s IPL profits, the country could earn nearly ₹15,000 crores over three years. This money could build ten new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) or help create funds for deep-tech research. If you also consider the profits from the franchises, an extra ₹320–₹480 crore could be added every year. In total, around ₹6,000 crores each year could be used for research just from the IPL ecosystem!
Shrivastava believes that India has plenty of money; what we need is a better plan for using it. Business leaders often think about quick profits, while true entrepreneurs are focused on building long-term success. Research and innovation are considered risky, but they are important for our future. Countries like the U.S. and China gained wealth by investing in science first. In India, we seem to want wealth without laying down the groundwork.
Sports and entertainment are important, but we must also focus on long-term goals. What a nation chooses to invest in shapes its future. Entertainment may keep us happy today, but research and innovation will secure our future. It’s time India starts valuing those who work to build the future, not just those who seek quick fame.
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