India, Oct. 29 -- A cricket franchise worth more than an established Major League Baseball team would once have sounded improbable. Yet Sportico's October 2026 valuations place Mumbai Indians at $2.1 billion, ahead of MLB's Detroit Tigers ($2.08 billion).

Even more remarkable? Lucknow Super Giants, the lowest-valued IPL franchise, reportedly command a $1.5 billion valuation.

The question is no longer whether IPL teams are valuable.

It is whether investors are paying for what these businesses earn today or what they hope cricket will become tomorrow.

Why Is Every IPL Franchise Worth At Least $1.5 Billion?

Sportico estimates the combined value of IPL's ten franchises at approximately $17 billion, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru ($1.85...