The cricket board in any country is the body that runs the game in any given nation. It heads the whole cricketing structure, including the domestic cricket bodies.
The cricket board is responsible for everything that happens outside the cricket field. It includes administrative tasks, logistics, broadcasting, maintenance of cricket grounds, running of domestic cricket, and a smooth function of the whole cricketing structure to promote the game in the nation and create and bring more talent.
The cricket board earns money through various modes, including the sale of media rights, broadcasting rights, sponsorships, and other sources of revenue.
Every cricket-playing nation has a cricket board and all cricket bodies together form the International Cricket Council (ICC). But which is the richest cricket board of all?
Which is the richest cricket board in the world?
With a reported net worth of approximately $2.25 billion, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the richest cricketing board in the world.
In this post, we will take a look at the top 10 richest cricket boards in the world.
10. New Zealand Cricket (NZC)
It is surprising to see New Zealand so down on the list. They are even behind some of the weaker nations in terms of revenue. New Zealand are a small nation and they have a small pool of talent to manage.
Despite having a massive fan following worldwide, the Blackcaps face massive competition from Rugby at home. Hence, they find it difficult to rake up big numbers. As per an estimation, the net worth of New Zealand Cricket is $9 million.
9. West Indies Cricket Board (WICB)
West Indies Cricket Board is a cumulative cricketing body for the Caribbean islands. Apart from international cricket, the WICB earns major revenue through the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
However, courtesy of some political issues and poor management of operations, the WICB fails to earn as per its potential. Reportedly, the net worth of the West Indies Cricket Board stands at $15 million.
8. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC)
Traditionally a powerhouse in Asian cricket, Sri Lanka Cricket has fallen massively courtesy of the poor political landscape in the nation. Among the domestic cricket structure, they also have the Lanka Premier League.
However, the revenue has consistently dropped for the SLC in the last few years and the net worth of the board stands at around $20 million.
7. Zimbabwe Cricket Board (ZCB)
It is quite surprising to see Zimbabwe Cricket Board so high on the list, but it shows the efficiency of the board’s inner workings. Despite being a low-ranked team across the formats, Zimbabwe Cricket Board is managing to punch above their weight.
The ZCB manages to attract major internal sponsor deals during their home series against big opposition like India, Australia, and Pakistan. They use their funds efficiently and hence, their net worth is estimated to be around $38 million.
6. Cricket South Africa (CSA)
Cricket South Africa runs a pretty solid domestic structure, including first-class cricket, List-A cricket, and the Betway T20 Challenge. Their revenue is likely to shoot up with the introduction of the SA T20 Challenge.
Their main sponsor Bet brings a lot of revenue to the CSA. Meanwhile, their net worth is reported around $47 million.
5. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB)
Bangladesh are a cricket frenzy nation and just like their neighbours India, they enjoy a massive following of the game. Hence, they successfully attracted a lot of sponsors. Furthermore, they have also established a successful T20 competition in the form of the Bangladesh Premier League.
As per the estimation, the Bangladesh Cricket Board is valued at around $51 million. Reportedly, a major chunk of their revenue comes from a broadcasting deal with Ban Tech.
4. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
Pakistan is another cricket-crazy Asian country. Cricket is the most popular sport in Pakistan with a humongous fan following. It helps the Pakistan Cricket Board in bringing brands for the sponsor deals.
Furthermore, the PCB launched the Pakistan Super League in 2016 and that has helped them bring in a lot of additional revenue. Reportedly, the net worth of the PCB is valued at around $55 million.
3. England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)
The ECB controls the cricketing proceedings in England. They already have some exciting competitions going on at the domestic level, including the Royal London One-Day Cup and T20 Blast. However, with revenue falling constantly, the ECB introduced the Hundred in 2021.
The new competition has managed to bring lucrative revenue to the ECB. Reportedly, the net worth of the ECB in 2022 is valued at around $59 million.
2. Cricket Australia (CA)
Australian cricket is followed worldwide and hence, Cricket Australia struck TV broadcasting deals worldwide, including with Fox Sports at home.
Moreover, they have successfully established the Big Bash League (BBL), arguably the 2nd-most popular T20 league in the world behind the IPL. With a reported net worth of $79 million, Cricket Australia is the 2nd richest cricketing body in the world.
1. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)
It is no surprise that the BCCI is the richest cricketing board in the world. No cricket team on the planet enjoys a bigger fan following than Team India and it helps the BCCI to bring in massive sponsorship deals.
Furthermore, the Indian Premier League has added a lot of value to the BCCI as it is watched by the global audience and the brands try their best to strike a deal with the BCCI and the ten franchises in the competition. With a reported net worth of $2.25 billion in 2022, the BCCI is the richest cricket board in the world.