For private business,let's take sachin itself as an example;The business of cricket, goes beyond the ICC and the BCCI. Consider sponsorships. Last year, Tendulkar signed a three-year deal with Iconix, a newly formed marketing arm of international advertising giant Saatchi & Saatchi. India's star batsman will be paid around $40 million over the period. Tendulkar is also leveraging his iconic status for other businesses. He owns two restaurants -- Tendulkar's and Sachin's. He has a joint venture with the South India-based Manipal Group for healthcare and sports fitness products. Virgin Comics, owned by Richard Branson, is bringing out a series in which Tendulkar will be featured as a superhero. The royalty may be minimal, but it all adds up.Where does the money come from? Eventually, of course, it comes from the consumer. In India cricket sells better than anything else, including movies. "Cricket has been a catalyst for social transformation," says Raichaudhuri of IIMC. "This is reflect ...more

It is big business for the Govt also as it gets huge revenue in form of taxes from IPL as well as the sponsors

Srini, I am afraid of when our Govt. would become a "Pvt. Ltd. Co." !! Allowing so liberty in only one field of sport, perhaps does not suit a democratic Govt. !!

You can term it now as new adage : Cricket is businessly religious in India !