How much are the cricket boards worth?

The game of cricket is probably not played by too many countries. But, because of its huge popularity among the Asian and especially among the sub-continental countries the amount of fan following is huge. 

Everything that happens on the field of cricket is next to impossible without a stable cricket board monitoring the daily cash inflows and outflows, grassroots development, player performances and also earning funds through advertising and sponsorships. It really is the job of a cricket board to make this sport easily accessible to watch and enjoy in every remote corner. 

In the last 10-15 years, we have seen rapid growth in most boards. Here's a look at the 10 richest cricket boards in the world.

10. New Zealand Cricket (NZC) – $9 Million

The New Zealand Cricket board is standing at the bottom of the list as cricket is the second popular game in the country after Rugby.

There was a time before 2014 when New Zealand Cricket wasn't experiencing the best of times with some major sponsors bowing out because of their inconsistent performances. Yet, they have bounced back big time and managed to reach the 2015 ICC World Cup finals.

One of the reasons why their net worth is lesser than most is because they depend heavily on broadcasting rights to earn revenue. Its total net worth sums up to a total of $9 Million. Some of its major sponsors include ANZ Bank New Zealand Limited, Ford Motor Company, Accor Hotels, BLK, Burger King, Caltex, Canterbury, G.J. Gardner, Hertz, Les Mills, Powerade, Totalisator Agency Board, and Tui Beer.

9. Cricket West Indies (CWI) – $15 Million

Just like New Zealand cricket, Cricket Windies too depend a lot on broadcasting rights and since the inception of their own T20 League in 2013 (Caribbean Premier League), their income has seen a major surge. 

If their current team was as good as that previous one, this board would've been in a completely different half of this table. They have groomed some major T20 stars in the world but are struggling to find their identity in the other formats.

The Bank of Nova Scotia, BLK, Sandals Resorts, JetBlue Airways Corporation, Blue Waters T&T, and the Beltway Group are the major sponsors for Windies cricket currently.

8. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) – $20 Million

The Sri Lankan team probably is one of the topmost international cricket teams but the financial position of their cricket board is nothing to feel happy about. It is on the edge, to say the least, and surviving only on television rights mostly. The board is not even been able to pay the salaries to its cricketers and often the anger of Lankan cricketers comes out in open.

They are beginning to lose some of their sponsors with their recent stoop and it will be interesting to see where they will be heading.

Major sponsors of Sri Lanka Cricket Board include Dialog Axiata PLC, MAS Holdings, AIA Group Limited, Singer Corporation, Huawei Technologies Limited, Swizt etc.

7. Cricket Australia (CA) – $24 Million

This could come in as a shocker to see Cricket Australia, which is one of the oldest on the globe, at this position but they have spent a lot over the years on infrastructural developments and building some new stadiums, which sees their current net worth at $24 Million.

Cricket Australia is a public limited company and it is one of the richest sporting bodies in the country. With the Australian Cricket Team doing consistently well and cricket still remains the focus of the people there Cricket Australia doesn't have to worry too much about the money. 

Their current net worth stands at $24 Million. They have great sponsors and some interesting projects keeping their flow of funds consistent.

Some of their major sponsors include Domain Group, Singtel Optus Pty Limited, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, KFC, XXXX Gold, Gillette, Toyota Motor Corporation, Asics, Bupa, Milo, Bet365 Group Limited, Qantas Airways, Mastercard Incorporated, Hardys Wine, The Gatorade Company, Weet-Bix and Specsavers Optical Group Ltd.

6. Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) – $38 Million

Although their cricketers do not get a fair share of what they deserve for the spirit they show, Zimbabwe Cricket's net worth has been on the rise in recent years. It is largely because of a strong cricket fan base in the country and also the broadcasting rights they have earned over the years.

They also have some very good sponsors, who appreciate the spirit their cricket stands for and their net worth currently stands at $38 Million. Its major sponsors include Castle Lager, Vega Sportswear, Coca-Cola, Sanctuary Insurance, uMax, Schweppes, ZimGold.

5. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) – $51 Million

A board with one of the craziest fan bases to market upon, Bangladesh Cricket Board's net worth sums up closely to $51 Million and is ranked 5th on the list. Just like most of the other Asian countries, they have a very strong connection with fans, sponsors, and broadcasting companies, which makes them one of the top five richest boards in the world.

They also got to share the hosting rights in the 2011 World Cup, which was a major boost for their revenue. They have some very supportive local sponsors, which include Unilever Bangladesh Limited, PRAN-RFL Group, Fresh, Brac Bank, Qatar Airways, Aamra Network, Pan Pacific Hotels, and Resorts.

4. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) – $55 Million

Despite not playing proper cricket on home soil in the last decade or more, Pakistan Cricket Board still have a fantastic connection with their major sponsors. They are beginning to lure some cricket sides to tour them despite all the security concerns and with the emergence of the Pakistan Super League, some good days are heading their way surely.

Their net worth currently sums up closely to $55 Million, making them the second richest Asian board and also the 4th best in the world.

Their major sponsors include Pepsi, United Bank Limited, Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited, and Cool& Cool.

3. England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) – $59 Million

ECB is one of the three richest cricket boards in the world. England and Wales Cricket Board unsurprisingly stand very high in this list. From amazing broadcasting rights to an amazing bunch of sponsors, they have a lot of backing which sees their total net worth sum up to $59 Million.

They also get huge crowds for all three formats consistently. The major sponsors of ECB include National Westminster Bank (Natwest), Kia Motors Corporation etc.

2. Cricket South Africa (CSA) – $79 Million

Despite earning so much Cricket South Africa is spending more than what they are earning, hence they are actually making losses.

They have a net worth that sums up to $79 Million and they also are working on making their own T20 League a grandiose success. 

They have a great team backed up by a sensational fan base, making their board so rich and successful.

CSA receives most of its revenue from television rights. Standard Bank of South Africa Limited, Momentum, Sunfoil Series, KFC, New Balance Athletics, Castle Lager, Ram Couriers, Powerade, The Bidvest Group Limited etc.

1. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) – $295 Million

Unsurprisingly, BCCI tops the list. The Board of Control for Cricket in India backed up the greatest fan base in the cricketing universe and also the best T20 League in the world (IPL), their net worth is almost four times more than its nearest competitor in Cricket South Africa. Such has been the dominance of this board in recent years.

There was a period when BCCI was not even able to pay their cricketers on time, but since India's win of the 1983 world cup changed the fortunes of Indian cricket. The big moment came when in 2008 the Indian Premier League or IPL started and the BCCI started to mint more money.

A lot of credit must be given to Late Jagmohan Dalmiya, who played a crucial role in commercializing the BCCI and making it a financial powerhouse.

While BCCI is the highest-earning board in the World, The England Cricket Board (ECB) pays the highest combined salary to its players. The players get salaries on a yearly basis. In September 2018, The England Cricket Board (ECB) was awarded 10 Test contracts and 13 white-ball contracts.