DDCA spends bucketload of money on DPL but franchises unable to pay players, staff

New Delhi: The inaugural edition of the Delhi Premier League (DPL) fetched the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) a profit of Rs 5.37 crore approximately.

The association, through its annual report, revealed an income of Rs 59.95 crore from the DPL 2024, which saw 40 matches -- including 33 in men's category and seven in women's category. In contrast, it showed an expense of a whopping Rs 54.58 crore.

While the income has brought smiles to the DDCA members -- the Annual General Meeting was held on December 23 and lasted all of five minutes, the expenses have been met with surprise.

All the matches were held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, so the biggest expense of the DPL did not need to be met. The teams that were bought for Rs 8 crore or thereabouts, also took care of the players' stay at the hotels as well as their transport.

"The only expense that the DDCA had to incur was of generator that ran the lights as well as those related to staff like the umpires, referees and others involved with the conduct of the league. It beats me and is hard to believe that all this cost the association Rs 54.58 crore (Rs 5457.51 lakh). Where did all the money go. They are showing that they made a profit of just Rs 5.37 crore," said a member of the DDCA.

The total amount realised from the sale of the franchises in the first year was Rs 49.65 crore. Add to that sale of tickets and sale of advertisement space. There was a good amount of money that flowed into DDCA coffers.

The franchises shelled out between Rs 8.95 crore and Rs 8 crore a team.

"Each franchise was supposed to get a stipulated amount from DPL (they got Rs 1.5 crore each from DDCA last year) but all of the expenses, including the handout to franchises, would have at the most been Rs 15-20 crore. Not more than that. So where has the remaining money gone. What are the major expenses incurred. There is no breakup of that," added the member.

It should be noted that some of the DPL teams themselves appear to be in the red. As per information available to www.thedelhijuntion.com, as many as five teams out of the eight in the 2025 have failed to clear payments to players and staff. Those that have paid dues in full include South Delhi Superstarz and Central Delhi Kings. At least five franchises, including West Delhi Lions, East Delhi and New Delhi Tigers, are believed to have not cleared their payments to players and staff. Outer Delhi Warriors have cleared payment to players but are yet to pay their staff fully.

All this really puts a question mark on the viability of DPL for the owners. DDCA's decision to bring in two additional teams for Season 2 -- New Delhi Tigers and Outer Delhi Lions -- this year, was met with some opposition ahead of the start of the season. The franchises wanted only six teams for the first three years. However, they agreed to it eventually.

Tags : Delhi Premier League, DPL, DDCA, Arun Jaitley Stadium, cricket, New Delhi