Tenth International Conference on Sport & Society

Abstract

Indian Premier League (IPL) is amongst the most prominent commercial cricketing events in the world today. It was founded by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2008. In the eleven seasons of its existence, the tournament has gone from strength to strength. A report by Duff and Phelps pegs the brand value of IPL at $6.3 billion in 2018. With all the trappings of a grandiose carnival, IPL is a mix of sport and glamour. The participating teams, representing mostly Indian cities (and some states), are owned by famous Indian film stars and business tycoons. Going by the crowds it manages to pull, it is amongst the top ten most watched sports leagues in the world. Despite all the success and splendour, the event has had its share of rough patches. Over the years, there have been numerous conflicts and controversies, such as allegations of financial irregularities against some franchisees. Mr. Lalit Modi, generally regarded as the founder of and mastermind behind the IPL, was suspended by the BCCI for alleged nefarious activities. There have also been cases of spot-fixing and illegal betting. This paper is a case study that seeks to investigate the ethical issues that may arise in sports management and commercialization. This paper is a case study that seeks to investigate the ethical issues that may arise in sports management and commercialization. It endeavors to find the reasons for such ethical lacunae and suggests ways to prevent them in the future.