Cash-rich cricketing extravaganza Indian Premier League’s plan to shift base to another nation for a part of the tournament and its clash with the General Elections may prove to be a dampener for IPL franchisees.

Franchisees have said they will earn lower ticket revenues for the matches that are located overseas. At the same time, brands fear that the viewership could get fragmented as the world’s largest democracy goes to the polls.

IPL officials have got down to finalising venues and are trying to keep the bulk of the matches in the country. But this may be difficult with General Election dates announced.

One of the franchisees, Delhi Daredevils, recently commissioned a study on the economic impact of the game. The team, which roped in the US-based marketing research and analysis firm Sports Economics, found that in just one season (2013), involving six matches of Delhi Daredevils, the team contributed ₹96.04 crore in total economic impact and in the process generated 250 new full-time jobs.

Hemant Dua, CEO, Delhi Daredevils, said: “The exercise was undertaken to understand the economic impact Daredevils create for the city of Delhi by hosting the matches at Feroz Shah Kotla. The results are astounding as we add close to ₹120 crore to exchequer through taxes and create jobs.”

According to the study, because of the surge in spending by the spectators, residents in Delhi saw earning benefits worth ₹56.17 crore during the playing season of 2013.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has been mulling to shift the venue to one of the four countries under consideration– the UAE, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Bangladesh. Sources in the BCCI indicated that officials have already undertaken due diligence in the four countries.

Raghu Iyer, CEO of Rajasthan Royals, said franchisees are waiting for the IPL Governing Council to finalise the venues. “Brands and sponsors might need to change their plans around brand activation and on-ground activation. But let’s see the final schedule on venues,” he said.

A senior executive with a consumer goods company, which has been investing as a team sponsor for the last three seasons, said eyeballs for this year’s tournament will definitely be impacted due to elections.

Mahesh Gupta, Chairman of Kent RO, said that with a part of the tournament expected to happen on international soil and elections under way, the viewership could be impacted. He did not comment on specific association.

Companies that are looking to grab families or male target audience may spend on news channels as well, which are expected to grab higher viewership during elections.

Meanwhile, Havells India and Supertech said they are still finalising their plans. Anil Khera, CEO of Videocon d2h, which has been associated with Mumbai Indians, said the company does not see an impact if the tournament moves out.

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