Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi has made a big revelation about the Indian Premier League’s media rights. Modi disclosed that on the very first day of IPL 2008, he broke all the broadcasting rules. The first-ever IPL match was played between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). At that time, Sony held the exclusive broadcasting rights, but Modi bypassed all agreements and made the telecast free for all news channels and sports networks worldwide to boost viewership and make the IPL popular.
Currently living in exile in the United Kingdom, Lalit Modi said he was worried about the viewership numbers for the opening match. He revealed that he decided to override Sony’s exclusive broadcasting deal, believing that the network’s reach was insufficient to attract the audience needed. Speaking on Michael Clarke’s podcast, Modi said:
“Everything, everything depended on that one match. I broke every rule that day. I had signed an exclusive contract with Sony, but they didn’t have enough reach. I said, ‘Open the signal.’ Suddenly, the match was available everywhere! I told all the broadcasters who had lost the bidding, ‘Go live. All news channels, everyone, just show it.’”
Modi further added, “Sony threatened to sue me. I told them, ‘Sue me later, forget it for now. We’re going live because your reach isn’t enough.’ I wanted everyone to watch the first match. If that match had flopped, I would have been finished.”
Although contemporary media reports didn’t fully detail these claims, the IPL turned out to be a massive success for both Sony and Lalit Modi, who was then a member of the BCCI.
However, Modi’s relationship with the BCCI later became controversial and led to legal disputes. In March 2009, the BCCI terminated its broadcasting agreement with Sony Entertainment Television and World Sports Group (WSG), citing a breach of contract. Modi then negotiated a new deal in which Sony regained the media rights until 2017 for around USD 1.63 billion (approximately ₹8,200 crore).
As part of this deal, WSG received a facilitation fee of ₹425 crore to give up its claims. This payment raised suspicions, and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) began investigating Modi’s role, alleging that he misused his authority to amend contracts and favour WSG. These accusations remain a significant part of the ongoing legal cases against him.