IPL- Will it choke other sports?

There is a real danger that IPL will suck up all the advertising money, leaving other sports starving for sponsors.

Here are some facts:

A closely fought bidding war recently saw business tycoons and film stars putting in big money to buy the eight IPL teams for anything between Rs272 crore and Rs441 crore.

The next round of auction on February 8 will determine which cricketers will join which team. Media planners are keenly watching the development, and would decide their exact game plan soon. But they are already saying that the advertising pie will grow with IPL coming in.

It is plainly obvious that the IPL will draw many eyeballs and which in turn will attract sponsors and advertising.

However, if it becomes wildly popular, as I believe it will be, will there be any money left for other sports?

If there is no sponsor interest, then staging them will prove financially disastrous. Consider this factor too , if there is no advertising revenue, the TV channels will ignore these events thus depriving them off much needed exposure.

Seriously, IPL proves alluring to the money bags, it could sound the death knell for all the other sports.