BCCI stays financially strong despite Dream11 exit, ICC revenue dip

The finances of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) remained robust despite the withdrawal of sponsorship by Dream11 and shortfall in the International Cricket Council (ICC) share. According to a note submitted to the Apex Council, the BCCI has made up for the deficit through a separate sponsorship deal with Adidas. It later signed up with Apollo Tyres too.

"Notwithstanding the withdrawal of sponsors such as Dream11 and other entities affected by recent legislative changes, BCCI had successfully secured a new jersey sponsorship at a higher valuation for another two-and-a-half-year cycle," the note, accessed by Cricbuzz, states.

In August, Dream11 pulled out of its Rs 358 crore sponsorship deal after the Government of India passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025, which banned real-money gaming (RMG), the core business of Dream11.

Prabhtej Singh Bhatia, former treasurer and current joint secretary, had presented the draft budget for the financial year 2025-2026 along with the audited accounts for the financial year 2024-2025 in September. It was noted in the presentation that the total projected income for FY 2025-2026 was INR 8,963 crore.

The revenue projection reflects a decline compared to the previous year, primarily due to a reduced share from ICC events. The note adds, "estimated interest income for the year stood at INR 1,500 crore, reflecting a significant increase from the previous figure of INR 1,368 crore, owing to strong treasury management and the overall healthy financial position of the Board." The Apex Council note, however, does not detail the quantum of reduction in the ICC share. The BCCI gets 38.5 per cent of the ICC income as its share.

The Apex Council was also informed that the BCCI's general fund had increased substantially from INR 7,988 crore to INR 11,346 crore, marking a surplus of INR 3,358 crore during FY 2024-2025 - a growth attributed to healthy financial management and strong revenue streams.

Bhatia further highlighted that the budget included a projected surplus of INR 6,728 crore and an allocation of INR 500 crore for infrastructure subsidies, "reflecting the Board's continued focus on developing cricketing infrastructure across the country."

He also confirmed that adequate provisions had been made for income tax obligations amounting to INR 3,320 crore, contingencies of INR 1,000 crore, and pending litigation costs of approximately INR 160 crore.