Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
Delhi Capitals (DC), formerly known as Delhi Daredevils (DD), is a franchise cricket team based out of Delhi which was founded in 2008. The franchise is currently owned by both Parth Jindal (JSW Group) and Kiran Kumar Grandhi (GMR Group). Delhi Capitals haven't won a trophy despite featuring many star players like Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, David Warner, Mahela Jayawardene, AB de Villiers, Kevin Pietersen, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, etc.
Delhi Capitals have reached the semi-finals or playoffs in the IPL 2008, 2009, 2012, 2019, 2020 & 2021 respectively. DC appeared in their first and only IPL final in 2020 against Mumbai Indians. In 2008, Delhi was bought for USD 84 Million by the property development company GMR Group. Later in 2018, GMR Company sold 50 percent of its stake in the Delhi Daredevils to JSW Sports for INR 550 Crore (USD 69 Million). In December 2018, the franchise changed its name from Delhi Daredevils to Delhi Capitals.
Every year, DC earns a lot through media rights, sponsorships, stadium ticket sales, merchandise sales (T-shirts), and the prize money they get from this cash-rich league. Here, in this article, we will look into the details of this.
1. Media Rights
In June 2022, the BCCI sold IPL 2023-27 media rights for a massive price of INR 48,390 Crore, including digital (Viacom18) and television rights (Star). Indian Premier League has become the second-most valued sporting league in terms of per-match value after this extraordinary media rights deal. The remarkable achievement would also help DC to get more income from media rights.
BCCI shares 40 to 50 per cent of the amount earned from media rights to all ten franchises based on their revenue distribution model. The highest share of the amount goes to the top performers of the IPL season out of all franchises. As per reports, the income of DC might get doubled compared to the last year, as the sale of media rights has seen an unreal increase.
2. Sponsorships
Every year DC forms partnerships with many reputed companies and brings in a decent amount of income through sponsors. According to media reports, sponsors contribute 20-30 per cent of the franchise earnings overall. DC has had prominent companies like Idea, Panasonic, GMR, Flying Machine, and Lux Cozi as their sponsors at various points in 16-year-old IPL history.
In IPL 2023, the Principal Partners of DC are JSW, DP World (Dubai Ports World), and Greenpanel. DC's associate sponsors are Wrogn Active, Reliance Jio, Royal Stag, JBL, Zed Black, Mahindra, GMR, and Galaxy Basmati Rice. Along with all these, APL Apollo Tyres is also the principal sponsor of the franchise.
3. Stadium ticket sales
DC fans have always showered love and support for their team irrespective of results and showed up in huge numbers at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Stadium ticket sales have generated good revenue for DC, and their owners have earned a humongous sum of amount from the sales of ticket and gate passes.
In the 2020-2022 period, only four matches happened in that venue due to COVID-19, so they incurred some losses due to it, and in 2023 as the tournament returned with a home and away format, all ten franchises started to bank upon their income through this source.
A small percentage of ticket sales from the stadium goes to BCCI and sponsors. Approximately it's believed that franchises would generate 15 per cent of their total revenue through ticket sales and gate passes.
4. Merchandise Sales
DC earns revenue through its merchandise sales by selling products such as t-shirts, shoes, shorts, polos, etc. The Delhi-based franchise has roped Wrogn as their official merchandise and lifestyle partner to accelerate sales. DC doesn't have an online retail store, but with the support of a Bengaluru-based fashion brand, the franchise is striving to reserve a special place in the hearts of its supporters.
Generally, merchandise sales skyrocket during the IPL season.
5. Prize Money
Prize money for each team is distributed based on the IPL table standings, so DC hasn't benefitted from this rule as they have finished at the bottom half of the table in most seasons.
DC won a prize amount of INR 12.5 Cr when they reached the final in IPL 2020. DC reached the semi-finals in the early years of IPL during 2008 & 2009, but they had a torrid time in 2011 & 2013-18. DC stood last in the points table four times notably (2011, 2013, 2014, 2018).
DC has failed to reach the final of an IPL despite being the table topper thrice in 2009, 2012 & 2021. The revenue earned from the prize money will be less when compared to the four mentioned topics above for all IPL franchises.
