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In a bold statement that underlines the ambitions of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Punjab Kings co-owner and Dabur India chairman Mohit Burman has suggested that the tournament should extend to a 12–16-week season to reach the global stature of leagues like the NFL, NBA, and Premier League.
The IPL is valued USD 16.8 million of every match, while the NFL is worth USD 36.8 million. But when taking into account the entire brand value, the difference widens. A single NFL team, such the Dallas Cowboys, is worth $9 billion, but the entire Indian Premier League (IPL) is now estimated to be worth $16 billion. NBA teams and European football teams are likewise extremely valuable; the New York Knicks, Real Madrid, and Manchester United are each valued at about USD 6–7 billion. This illustrates how cricket's top T20 league has expanded quickly.
Burman believes the IPL can bridge this gap with a longer season. "A 12 to 16-week window gives us the platform to grow the league, deepen fan engagement, and create stronger commercial stories," he said. "The time to create rivalries, personalities, and content that endures beyond the season is more important than simply adding more games."
Burman stressed that nothing should be taken for granted, even though the IPL has solidified its position as cricket's top product. "We've reached this level, but staying here means evolving constantly — from fan experience to player availability. We need a dedicated window where the best international talent can participate without conflicts."
He also dismissed the need to take the IPL abroad to maintain its supremacy. "Rather, he argued for increasing its global significance through cultivating a cultural presence, refining narrative, and interacting with followers all year round.
Additionally, Burman supported the practice of IPL teams investing in foreign tournaments including the MLC, SA20, and CPL. He called it a smart and sustainable strategy, helping to create global ecosystems around team brands.
"For us, it's about creating a consistent identity across leagues," he explained. "Whether it's Punjab Kings in IPL or Saint Lucia in CPL, we want to operate with a shared culture and performance ethos."
Speaking on Punjab Kings'resurgence — reaching the IPL final after 11 years — Burman credited Ricky Ponting's leadership and Shreyas Iyer's calm captaincy. The team's turnaround has paid dividends off the field too, with commercial growth up 25% year-on-year.
"In the end, strong performance drives commercial success. And for us, this season is proof of that synergy," Burman concluded.
