PSL 11 without fans, questions are being raised about financial losses

According to reports in Karachi, the Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to hold the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League on a limited scale in only two cities and without spectators as part of the government’s austerity drive, and the financial implications have been debated.

According to media reports, last season, about Rs 500 million was earned from the arrival of fans in stadiums, which will be completely wiped out this time. The bigger question has arisen as to how this deficit will be met.

Under the PSL’s financial system, the money earned from tickets does not go to any single team but is added to a central revenue pool, which the PCB itself controls. This pool also includes income from broadcasting rights, sponsorships and other sources.

According to the revenue sharing formula, the PCB holds a little over 5 percent share, while more than 90 percent of the money is distributed equally among all the franchises.

For example, the total revenue in the 2023 PSL season was around Rs 5.62 billion, out of which around Rs 580 million went to the PCB while the rest was distributed among the teams.

Since gate money is also part of the same pool, the loss this time will have an equal impact on all franchises. However, the PCB has announced that it will bear this financial loss itself.

According to experts, the financial loss can be covered to some extent, but the atmosphere of matches in empty stadiums will be affected, and the absence of fans will reduce the real splendor of this event.