The Indian Premier League (IPL) has grown into one of the biggest sporting spectacles in the world, blending cricket with entertainment in a way no tournament had ever done before. Launched in 2008, the league instantly captured global attention and continues to dominate conversations in cricket even today. But behind its dazzling beginning lies a story of risk-taking and controversy.
Lalit Modi, the man credited as the architect of the IPL, recently revealed that the success of the tournament’s opening match came down to a gamble he took on the very first day. Speaking in an interview with former Australia captain Michael Clarke, Lalit Modi recalled the evening of April 18, 2008, when Kolkata Knight Riders faced Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the inaugural game. He admitted that he risked breaking the exclusivity agreement with the official broadcaster Sony by allowing other television channels and networks to air the match live.
According to Lalit Modi, his fear was that if the first game failed to draw viewers, his entire career would be finished. Believing that Sony’s reach was limited, he decided to “open the signal” so that all the broadcasters, including those who had lost out in bidding, could show the match live. He remembered Sony threatening to sue but his response was simply, “sue me later”. He said that legal issues could wait because he needed the whole country to watch. Lalit Modi emphasised that everything depended on the success of that one game.
While there are few contemporary reports to fully verify his version, what followed is undeniable: the IPL’s debut was a resounding success. The tournament instantly became a television phenomenon and a commercial triumph for both Sony and Lalit Modi. At the time, Lalit Modi was also a powerful member of the BCCI and his vision for the IPL changed Indian cricket forever.
However, this very relationship between the BCCI, Sony and Lalit Modi soon turned controversial. In 2009, the BCCI suddenly terminated its broadcasting deal with Sony Entertainment Television (MSM) and World Sports Group (WSG), citing breaches. Not long after, Lalit Modi renegotiated a fresh agreement where Sony/MSM retained rights until 2017 for around $1.63 billion (Rs. 8200 crores), while WSG received a facilitation fee of Rs. 425 crore for stepping aside.
This payment raised eyebrows, with accusations that Lalit Modi had exceeded his authority by altering contracts and favoring WSG. The issue invited the scrutiny of the Enforcement Directorate and became central to the legal battles that continue to follow him.
Today, Lalit Modi lives in exile in the UK but his decisions, both bold and controversial, remain etched in the IPL’s legacy.
