IPL 2016

Daredevils paying price for 'culture of passes' in city

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Close to half the people who watch the game in Delhi do not pay for it © Cricbuzz

The culture of asking for complimentary passes for IPL matches in Delhi, instead of fans buying tickets through proper channels, is leading to huge losses in revenue for GMR, the owners of Delhi Daredevils.

Sources in the know told Times of India (TOI) that on an average, more than 42% in attendance at an IPL game are free ticket holders in the 37,500-capacity Ferozeshah Kotla. There is fear the Delhi franchise is losing close to half of its potential revenue from gate receipts in every game. The Delhi team, say sources, earned between Rs 4 to 5 crore from sale of tickets three years ago. The figure has now come down around to Rs 2 to Rs 2.5 crore. GMR officials TOI got in touch, however, refused to comment on the declining revenue. IPL rules stipulate that every franchise distribute 20% of tickets to the Indian cricket board (BCCI). But for Delhi, owners are made to distribute another 22% for central and state government agencies.

"The accounted number works out to be 15,750 free passes. But the unaccounted bit of free passes should be more than 17,000," a source told TOI on Thursday. Three years ago, both Mumbai and Delhi had a more or less equal revenue from gate receipts. Mumbai have managed to retain this income while Delhi's share has come down quite drastically. Mumbai Indians, it is learnt, don't spare more than 7000 free passes for every home game.

Even a new franchisee like Rising Pune Supergiants made Rs 16.8 crore from four IPL matches at the Maharashtra Cricket Association stadium this season. The local association made it a point to distribute only 1,600 complimentary tickets for members and important guests. "Delhi's team is constantly requested and pressurized to hand over tickets. The franchise is also made to pay tax for those free tickets distributed to spectators in Delhi," said a source.

© TNN

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