Indian sports economy crosses $2 billion: WPP Media report The Indian sports economy has crossed the $2 billion mark for the first time in 2025, according to WPP Media’s latest Sporting Nation report. The market has nearly doubled since 2021, growing from Rs 9,530 crore at an 18.6% CAGR, driven by media rights, sponsorship, and endorsements. The report highlights that the sports economy reached Rs 8,864 crore in 2025, up 13.4% from Rs 16,633 crore in 2024. Cricket continued to dominate the ecosystem, contributing 89% of total industry revenues in 2025, up from 85% the previous year. In absolute terms, cricket generated ₹16,704 crore, growing 17.9% year-on-year. Its share across segments remained high, accounting for 81% of sponsorship spends, 87% of endorsements, and 95% of media spends. The Indian Premier League remained central to this growth cycle, supported by an active international calendar, including India’s Champions Trophy win and the women’s team’s ODI World Cup victory, alongside the expansion of the Women’s Premier League. Media spend emerged as the largest segment, contributing 51% of the overall industry value. Advertising investments rose 19.8% year-on-year to Rs 9,571 crore. Television advertising grew 16.4% to Rs 5,117 crore, while digital grew faster at 24% to Rs 4,449 crore. Sponsorship spends grew at a slower pace of 7% to Rs 7,943 crore, accounting for 42% of the total industry. The report attributes this to premiumisation and better monetisation of existing assets rather than inventory expansion. The exit of real money gaming advertisers created gaps, though these were partly offset by other sectors. Sports celebrity endorsements reached Rs 1,350 crore in 2025, up 10.3% year-on-year. Cricket accounted for 87% of this segment, contributing Rs 1,178 crore.#champions_trophy #wpp_media #indian_premlier_league #women_s_premier_league #ashwin_padmanabhan
India's sports economy surpasses $2 billion milestone in 2025 India's sports industry reached a historic milestone in 2025, with the sector's value crossing $2 billion for the first time, according to the latest Sporting Nation report by WPP Media. The total revenue for the year amounted to Rs 18,864 crore ($2.1 billion), marking a 13.4% year-on-year increase from Rs 16,633 crore in 2024. This growth reflects the maturing sports ecosystem in the country, driven by diversified revenue streams and sustained brand investments. Cricket remained the dominant force in the sports economy, contributing 89% of total revenues in 2025, up from 85% in 2024. The sport generated Rs 16,704 crore, a 17.9% rise compared to the previous year. Cricket accounted for 81% of sponsorship spends, 87% of endorsements, and 95% of media investments. The Indian Premier League (IPL) continued to be the primary driver of growth, supported by a strong international calendar that included India's Champions Trophy victory and the women's team's ODI World Cup win. The rise of the Women’s Premier League also contributed to cricket's commercial momentum. Media spending emerged as the largest contributor to the sports economy, accounting for 51% of the total value. Advertising investments grew by 19.8% to Rs 9,571 crore in 2025, with television contributing Rs 5,117 crore (up 16.4%) and digital advertising growing faster at 24% to Rs 4,449 crore. Sports sponsorship spending increased by 7% to Rs 7,943 crore, representing 42% of the overall market. The growth was attributed to premiumisation and better monetisation of existing assets rather than expansion in inventory. The industry also demonstrated resilience despite the exit of real money gaming companies, with traditional sectors stepping in to absorb premium inventory.#india #champions_trophy #wpp_media #indian_premer_league #odi_world_cup
Liam Livingstone interview - 'I asked England for help, I was told I care too much' Liam Livingstone has not played for England since their Champions Trophy exit in March 2025, and he claims his communication with the team’s management has been minimal. In a recent interview with ESPNcricinfo, the England all-rounder described his interactions with the coaching staff as brief and dismissive, with two phone calls lasting just a minute each. He accused the team of lacking "respect" and avoiding "difficult conversations," which he believes has left him without a clear path to rejoining the squad. Livingstone was dropped from England’s white-ball teams last summer after a slump in form during a tour to India and the Champions Trophy, where the team lost 10 out of 11 games. He criticized the management for failing to engage with him constructively, citing a lack of support and a dismissive attitude toward his efforts to improve. He described the environment under head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key as uncooperative, claiming that players outside an inner circle are not valued. The 32-year-old, who remains contracted to Sunrisers Hyderabad for the IPL, emphasized his frustration with the lack of communication. He recalled a call from McCullum in May 2025, where he was informed he had been dropped for the West Indies series without explanation. Key, who had previously responded to Livingstone’s public concerns about his status by inviting him to contact him, only spoke to him again in late September, informing him his central contract would not be renewed. Livingstone said Key dismissed his attempts to seek clarity, claiming the managing director had "100 more important things to do than speak to you.#liam_livingstone #england_cricket_team #brendon_mccullum #rob_key #champions_trophy
