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600% Less!! BBL Winners vs IPL Winners- Know The Difference In Prize Money Of The 2 Leagues

Soumyajit Dutta

Hobart Hurricanes lift the BBL 14 trophy [Source: @BBL/X.com]Hobart Hurricanes lift the BBL 14 trophy [Source: @BBL/X.com]

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Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) 2024-25 has come to an end. The league that started in December 2024 now finally have their winner. As the Hobart Hurricanes lift the trophy, they are also ready to bag the greens, the sweet cash. 

While the league is one of the biggest in the world and promises fireworks on the field, its financial rewards pale in comparison to its Indian counterpart, the Indian Premier League (IPL). 

BBL 14 Boasts A Total Prize Pool of INR 5.5 Crore

The total prize pool for BBL 14 has been raised to AUD 1 million (5.5 crore INR) this season, with the champions taking home AUD 500,000 (2.75 crore INR). The runners-up earn AUD 250,000 (1.37 crore INR), semi-finalists AUD 100,000 (55 lakh INR), and even the fifth-placed team gets AUD 30,000 (16.5 lakh INR). 

Individual accolades like Player of the Tournament (AUD 10,000 or 5.5 lakh INR) and category-specific awards (AUD 5,000 or 2.75 lakh INR) round off the incentives.  With that being said, now, let's take a deeper look at how Australia loses the fight against India's massive league in terms of cash-richness.

IPL’s Colossal Financial Muscle  

In stark contrast to BBL's financial awards, the IPL operates on a different financial planet. The 2024 season offered a staggering 47.36 crore INR in total prize money, with the winning team alone pocketing 20 crore INR which is 7.3x higher than the BBL champion’s purse. The IPL runner-up earns 13 crore INR, nearly 9.5x more than BBL’s second-best. Even fourth-placed IPL teams secure 6.5 crore INR, which is 12x the amount BBL semi-finalists receive. 

Individual awards like the Orange Cap (top batter) and Purple Cap (top bowler) come with 15 lakh INR each which is 2.7x higher than BBL’s equivalent prizes. Emerging Player of the Tournament in IPL nets 20 lakh INR, dwarfing BBL’s 2.75 lakh INR for its young stars.  

A Harrowing Disparity In Cash-Richness

The BBL’s total prize pool of 5.5 crore INR is a mere 11% of the IPL’s 47.36 crore INR, highlighting a jaw-dropping 89% disparity. To put it bluntly, the IPL winner’s prize (20 crore INR) alone is 3.6x larger than the entire BBL prize pool. Even adjusting for inflation and league durations, the IPL’s financial dominance remains unchallenged.  

Why the Gulf?  

The IPL isn’t just a cricket league, it’s a global commercial empire. Since its 2008 launch, it has redefined sports economics through aggressive branding, billion-dollar broadcast deals, and corporate titans as franchise owners. Sponsorships for teams and league add-ons further inflate its value. The BBL, while popular in Australia, lacks this scale. Its shorter window of 3 weeks versus IPL’s 2-month window and regional focus limit sponsorship and broadcast revenue.  

Nevertheless, the IPL’s financial muscle and meticulous planning make it cricket’s undisputed king. The BBL, though competitive and entertaining, looks to operate in its shadow, with prize money that feels almost symbolic. 

For players, the IPL isn’t just a tournament, it’s a career-defining jackpot. As cricket’s economy grows, who knows there might be a greater disparity in cash flow of the leagues in the coming days.