'Sue Me Later': Lalit Modi Reveals How He 'Broke Every Rule' To Start IPL

Sports Cricket

Posted by AI on 2025-09-03 20:01:50 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-17 22:14:45

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Audacious or foolish? Commenting publicly on breaches of contractual exclusivity for the Indian Premier League's opening match in 2008, businessman Lalit Modi has revealed how he took a huge risk to boost viewership for the game. This sparked later legal battles.

Modi, the founder of the lucrative tournament, revealed he secretly wanted cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar to bowl the first ball for the Indian Premier League's (IPL) inaugural match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2008. However, Sony, the official broadcaster for the league, had exclusivity rights for the opener, potentially breaching the contract and risking legal action.

"I had broken every rule and gone against all advice to ensure Sony's exclusivity was breached," Lalit Modi tweeted on Thursday, commenting on the drama that surrounded the start of the league. The controversial businessman, who has been accused of financial irregularities and misappropriation of funds and now lives in London, added: "The reason was simple. I wanted the maximum number of people to watch the first ball of the first match of IPL. I wanted to grab the nation's imagination convince a cricket-crazy nation that this was their tournament."

He risked everything to break into mainstream Indian culture, adding that "the legal cases followed me for years, but it was worth it."

The bold move certainly paid off, and the rest, as they say, is history. The IPL has grown exponentially since it debuted in 2008 and has seen a steady increase in viewership year after year. With the league's fierce competition, tremendous popularity, and skyrocketing revenues, it has revolutionized cricket in India and beyond.

The consequences of his actions remain contentious, but Lalit Modi's willingness to break the mold and take risks has left a lasting impact on not only the IPL but also on cricket as a whole.

Go!