In the game of cricket, the sources of earning for a national board are ICC share from their tournament, broadcast money and national-level T20 franchise league (if they have one). The T20 league has become a norm, specifically because depending on ICC money is like an advert agency depending on a single client. If that client goes away, the money dries away.
Apart from BCCI, ECB and CA, the other boards don’t get much money. For those who don’t know, the ICC money goes to the boards whose teams qualify for these tournaments. The second aspect of the money making is the broadcast money, which is interlinked with the ICC money. When the ICC broadcast rights are sold, the biggest contributors are the India, England, and Australia markets.
Simple reasons for that is that the broadcasters operating in these territories are aware that they can recover those huge investments. In the other markets, different sports dominate those markets. There is another aspect of broadcast money, which is sold for international friendlies, or shall we say, bilateral cricket. Meanwhile, in this listicle, let’s have a look at the 10 Richest Cricket Boards In The World.
Top 10 Richest Cricket Boards across the globe
1. BCCI (Board for Control of Cricket in India)
They are getting 37% percent of the ICC money across the three white-ball tournaments (Cricket World Cup, T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy). The biggest reason for this is the huge India income that the ICC earns. Apart from this, the board earns huge broadcast money from its biggest T20 league, i.e. Indian Premier League. The broadcasting fee for every IPL game from 2023 to 2028 season is 100 crores INR approx. Another source of their earning is one of the biggest brands sponsoring the team in different ways. Their net worth is 10000 crore INR approx.
2. Cricket Australia
One of the most successful cricket teams in world cricket is headed by Cricket Australia. Even though Cricket is a summer sport in the Oceania nation, it is one of the leading sports down under. It is largely due to the legacy created by the past players and the current players are taking it forward. Meanwhile, their biggest source of their income is the ICC money, followed by the broadcast and Big Bash money.
However, Big Bash is still not a private-owned franchise team but owned by state associations. Reportedly, CA is looking for partners or maybe, fully sell these teams to private firms but keeping the tournament rights to itself. At this point, their net worth is 658 crore INR.
3. England and Wales Cricket Board
The game was invented in the European nation and they dominated world cricket not just with the financial power but with the clout they had in the governing body. This is the reason why they hosted the first three Men’s ODI World Cups and have hosted the majority of Women’s ODI World Cups. Meanwhile, talking about their major revenue sources, they are the ICC money, broadcast money and The Hundred money, which they sold for millions of pounds for the first five-six seasons. Their net worth is 492 crore INR.
4. Pakistan Cricket Board
Pakistan became a full member in 1952, five years after their country came into existence. They are heavily dependent on the ICC money in the last 17 years as India isn’t playing them in bilateral cricket. Even though they have a Pakistan Super League as a marquee event, the franchise owners suffer losses due to lack of sponsors. The only season (2023) in which they earned profits was due to the sponsorship money from betting sites, which was discontinued due to cultural issues. At this point, their net worth is estimated to be 458 crore INR.
5. Bangladesh Cricket Board
Bangladesh became the full member after the nation was separated from Pakistan in 1971 and beaten their Asian neighbours in the 1999 World Cup. Meanwhile, in the first 29 years, they were one of the lowest ranked teams and had to play in the Qualifier to participate in the World Cups. However, after becoming a full member, things have changed and they are always one of the automatic qualifiers for the ICC tournaments, mainly World Cups.
Meanwhile, talking about their revenue, they are also heavily dependent on ICC money as Bangladesh Premier League is still surrounded with financial irregularities and spot fixing allegations which is why big brands stay away from the league. Apart from this, the national side’s performance isn’t improving and they don’t have a star player to bank upon financially. An India series does give them some relief but not for long. Their net worth is 425 crore INR.
6. Cricket South Africa
South Africa as a nation has a history of colour and race-based apartheid which also reflected on the national side before they were banned in 1970. They were reinstated in 1992 with them playing against India in home and away bilateral series. Even though cricket is not the highest grossing sport in terms of money, they have managed to sustain themselves and with the advent of SA20, they are expected to thrive financially. Just like any other board, they are hugely dependent on ICC money, currently doing fine with SA20 and earning a lot in bilateral cricket, specifically while playing against India.
7. Zimbabwe Cricket
Another nation with a history of racial discrimination but a thriving cricket history before the late 90s. The civil war in the Southern African nation brought its cricket on its knees but has somehow managed to survive. In the white-ball format, they have done well in patches. Their biggest source of income is ICC money and an India series at home. Talking about their net worth, it is estimated to be 317 crores INR.
8. Sri Lanka Cricket
An Asian which doesn’t have a long history as a full member nation but has won three ICC titles, i.e Cricket World Cup 1996, Champions Trophy 2002, and T20 World Cup 2014. Despite the hurdles at the board level, the talented cricketers were taking their national side to a level of greatness. In the last 10 years, their performances have nose dived and the fans outside of Sri Lanka have been left wondering. However, the recent SLC constitutional changes are expected to bring back the lost glory in the long run. They are dependent on ICC money and have a decent T20 league (Lanka Premier League) which is still in its formative years. Their current net worth is 166 crores INR.
9. Cricket Windies
West Indies does have a rich history in cricket due to their past success but currently, they have been struggling big time. Missing two ICC white ball tournaments in 2023 and 2025 is a grave concern for the former World Champions. Even though they are doing well in patches, this doesn’t augur well for a team that has such legacy. Their biggest source of income are ICC money, home series against India and England and the Caribbean Premier League. Meanwhile, their net worth is 125 crores INR.
10. New Zealand Cricket
The island nation, despite the lack of money in this sport, has managed to do well in terms of grassroot development and managed to produce world class cricketers. As the board isn’t capable of financially securing their cricketers, they have been lenient regarding players participation. They are the only national cricket board that doesn’t have their T20 franchise league. Their biggest sources of income are ICC and hosting India. Their net worth is 75 crores.
