The first-ever edition of the Women’s Indian Premier League (W-IPL) isn’t far from its inception and the Broad of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President, Mr. Jay Shah, confirmed the development of Viacom18 having bagged the Women’s IPL media rights.
The Reliance-backed, Viacom18 has committed Rs 951 crore to the BCCI, which will mean the broadcaster will be paying the BCCI a per match value of INR 7.09 crores for the next 5 years (2023-27). Notably, Viacom18 dished out Rs 20,500 crore to bag IPL Digital Rights for the Indian sub-continent.
BCCI secretary, Mr. Jay Shah, Tweeted, “Congratulations @viacom18 for winning the Women’s @IPL media rights. Thank you for your faith in @BCCI and @BCCIWomen. Viacom has committed INR 951 crores which means per match value of INR 7.09 crores for next 5 years (2023-27). This is massive for Women’s Cricket .
Congratulations @viacom18 for winning the Women’s @IPL media rights. Thank you for your faith in @BCCI and @BCCIWomen. Viacom has committed INR 951 crores which means per match value of INR 7.09 crores for next 5 years (2023-27). This is massive for Women’s Cricket 🙏🇮🇳
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) January 16, 2023
“After pay equity, today’s bidding for media rights for Women’s IPL marks another historic mandate. It’s a big and decisive step for empowerment of women’s cricket in India, which will ensure participation of women from all ages. A new dawn indeed! #WIPL @ICC @BCCIWomen.”
Reacting to the news, former Australian skipper, Lisa Sthalekar, Tweeted, “Words truely cannot describe what this means for a young girl in India, for the womens cricket in India, for the Womens game, for the sport in general. So happy to see this. This will change the landscape forever “
Words truely cannot describe what this means for a young girl in India, for the womens cricket in India, for the Womens game🏏, for the sport in general. So happy to see this. This will change the landscape forever 👍🏽👏🏽👏🏽 https://t.co/tsLFZxPCV4
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) January 16, 2023
Former Indian women’s team coach, W V Raman, Tweeted, “Happy days will abound in different ways in women’s cricket and for those playing the game. Well done @BCCI @JayShah @viacom18. Let the party begin soon..”
Happy days will abound in different ways in women’s cricket and for those playing the game. Well done @BCCI @JayShah @viacom18. Let the party begin soon.. https://t.co/DeJK8iTk1l
— W V Raman (@wvraman) January 16, 2023
Former India batter and current head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA), VVS Laxman, Tweeted, “Wonderful news for women’s cricket with @viacom18 winning the Women’s IPL media rights for the next five years for more than INR 950 crore.This is a huge shot in the arm for women’s cricket in India and I am sure it won’t be long before the talent pool swells considerably. @BCCI.”
English pacer, Kate Cross, who also is a big fan of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Tweeted, “Talk about game changer!! “
Talk about game changer!! 👏🏻👏🏻 https://t.co/gm5pzWxN3J
— Kate Cross (@katecross16) January 16, 2023
Former Indian skipper, Mithali Raj, Tweeted, “The Women’s IPL will be a game-changer for women’s cricket and cricket in general. This development represents a significant milestone in that regard. Looking forward to an outstanding tournament. @BCCI, @BCCIWomen, @JayShah Sir.”
The Women’s IPL will be a game-changer for women’s cricket and cricket in general. This development represents a significant milestone in that regard. Looking forward to an outstanding tournament. @BCCI, @BCCIWomen, @JayShah Sir. https://t.co/7kQ2vgPwRx
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) January 16, 2023
Former Australian player, Mel Jones, Tweeted, ” game changer… sport changer!!! This is massive in so many ways.”
Former Indian pacer, Jhulan Goswami, Tweeted, “This is so heartening and a testimony to the credibility and growth of Women’s Cricket. Am so delighted. Hats off to @bcciwomen and all the best to @viacom18.”
This is so heartening and a testimony to the credibility and growth of Women’s Cricket. Am so delighted. Hats off to @bcciwomen and all the best to @viacom18 https://t.co/KT3rsZ4da2
— Jhulan Goswami (@JhulanG10) January 16, 2023
Indian all-format skipper, Harmanpreet Kaur, Tweeted, “Huge congratulations to Viacom18 and @BCCI, @JayShah for a historic day in women’s cricket. Today marks a new era where our women cricketers will get the platform they deserve to thrive, excel and develop on the global stage. I’m sure you’ll be mesmerized by the talent we have!.”
Huge congratulations to Viacom18 and @BCCI, @JayShah for a historic day in women’s cricket. Today marks a new era where our women cricketers will get the platform they deserve to thrive, excel and develop on the global stage. I’m sure you’ll be mesmerized by the talent we have!
— Harmanpreet Kaur (@ImHarmanpreet) January 16, 2023
Voice of Cricket, Harsha Bhogle, Tweeted, “The decks are clearing for the women’s IPL with a good TV deal in place. Now, I hope the purse for each team is equally solid.”
Former Indian skipper, Anjum Chopra, Tweeted, “Wao! This is wonderful news for the women’s game. Viacom winning the media rights for women @IPL. Look forward to the encouraging times for the women’s game @BCCIWomen @viacom18.”
Wao! This is wonderful news for the womens game. Viacom winning the media rights for womens @IPL. Look forward to the encouraging times for the womens game @BCCIWomen @viacom18
— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) January 16, 2023
The BCCI is understood to unveil the names of the franchises for the 5-team competition on the 25th of January. As per reports, 8 of IPL’s 10 franchises have submitted bids and the BCCI has also sorted 10 cities as the venues for Women’s IPL 2023.