Foreign players pocket major chunk of money in Indian leagues

Out of Rs 823 crore salaries paid by various sports leagues in India, domestic players get only 36 per cent of it despite being majority participants with bulk of earnings going to minority foreign recruits, according to a report.

As per Indian Sports Salaries Report 2016, which surveyed various leagues, including IPL, Indian Super League (ISL), Hockey India League (HIL) and International Premier Tennis League (IPTL), among others, Indian players got only Rs 296 core as total salaries.

This is in sharp contrast to their numbers in terms of participation with homegrown players accounting for 521 out of total of 857 players. On the other hand, 336 foreign players walked away with a total salary of Rs 527 crore, it said.

“The report is based on the data available and the inputs received from various sports agents. It will help in making direct comparison amongst certain key drivers of growth,” said Super Insinght Director & CEO Raman Raheja. Among the eight leagues surveyed were Premier Badminton League, Champions Tennis League, Pro Kabaddi and Pro Wrestling.

As per the report, against the common perception cricketers were not the highest earners in these leagues. The title belonged to top global tennis players. “Cricketers are not the highest paid sports person playing in the Indian leagues. Roger Federer and Rafal Nadal are the highest earning players with Rs 26 crore plus each for playing in the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL),” it said.

The report is based on analysis of Rs 1,100 crore budget for 857 players in seven sports in eight different leagues.

It further added that money earned by Federer alone is more than all the hockey players in Hockey India league put together.