BCCI's Financial Dominance: A Deep Dive into FY24 Revenue and Tax Strategies

The BCCI has solidified its position as the financial leader in cricket, with FY24 revenues soaring to ₹20,686 crore, largely driven by the IPL. Despite this massive income, the board paid no income tax, benefiting from charitable organization exemptions. This article delves into the BCCI's diverse revenue streams, including media rights and sponsorships, and examines the ongoing debate about its tax status. With a unique financial model that combines commercial success with a commitment to cricket development, the BCCI continues to set benchmarks in the sports industry.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 11, 2025, 11:15 IST

BCCI's Unmatched Financial Growth

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) continues to reign as the leading financial entity in global cricket, with its revenue for FY24 reaching an astonishing ₹20,686 crore. This represents an increase of ₹4,200 crore compared to the previous fiscal year, far surpassing any other cricket board among the 108 affiliated with the ICC.

The IPL's Role in Revenue Generation

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the primary driver of this financial success, having transformed cricket into a worldwide commercial spectacle. In 2022, the BCCI secured a landmark media rights agreement valued at ₹48,390 crore with Disney Star and Viacom18, ensuring a consistent influx of revenue each season. Coupled with earnings from bilateral series media rights and distributions from the ICC, the BCCI has established a financial framework envied by sports organizations globally.

Analyzing the Revenue Breakdown

Chartered Accountant Nitin Kaushik provides a detailed overview of the BCCI’s FY24 earnings:

Revenue Source	Amount (Crore)	Comments
IPL Revenue	5,761.00	Major contributor; 59% of total revenue
ICC Distributions	1,042.35	Share from ICC
Non-IPL Media Rights	813.14	Broadcast rights for other matches
Women’s Premier League (WPL)	377.50	Earnings from women’s T20 league
India Men’s Matches	361.22	Home series revenues
Other Income	1,377.96	Includes ₹986.45 crore from interest

Tax Exemptions and Financial Strategies

Remarkably, the BCCI reported zero income tax payments in FY24, benefiting from exemptions under Section 12AA of the Income Tax Act, which applies to charitable organizations. Registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975, the BCCI's mission is to promote cricket in India. As long as its surplus is reinvested into cricket-related activities, it qualifies as a non-profit for tax purposes.

This exemption has been reaffirmed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal as recently as 2021, although the government still benefits from cricket's financial success through other means.

Government Revenue from BCCI

The BCCI contributes to government revenue through GST on IPL earnings, having deposited over ₹2,038.55 crore in GST between 2022-23 and 2023-24. Additionally, TDS is deducted from player salaries, with franchises spending ₹639.15 crore in the 2025 IPL mega auction, generating ₹89.49 crore in TDS for the government.

A Unique Revenue Model

The BCCI's income sources extend beyond ticket sales and broadcasting rights, encompassing sponsorships, digital partnerships, fantasy gaming collaborations, and merchandising. Few sports organizations globally can match the diversity and scale of its revenue streams.

The ongoing debate centers around whether an organization generating nearly ₹10,000 crore annually should maintain its tax-exempt status. Critics argue for a reassessment of this exemption, while supporters contend that the board's reinvestment into cricket infrastructure and talent development justifies its current status.

Regardless, the BCCI has successfully transformed cricket into one of the most profitable sports enterprises in history, all while operating under a tax framework that many corporations can only aspire to.