IPL 2014: Brand values of IPL franchises

Irrespective of the spot-fixing allegations that hit the tourney last year, the Indian Premier League continues to grow at a rapid pace. The brands ability to woo the sponsors has remained intact, if not bettered. American Appraisal, a Mumbai-based brand valuation company, has valued the IPL at $3.2 billion. Moreover, the firm has predicted that the league's value will skyrocket to well over $400 billion by 2020.Here are the brand values of the IPL franchises:

#8 Sunrisers Hyderabad - $25 million

Playing its second IPL season this year, the Sunrisers Hyderabad is owned by Kalanidhi Maran, the chairman of Sun TV Network Ltd, the countrys largest media and and entertainment company. The company won the bid for the franchise at $15.9 million per year. Its brand value is $25 million, part of which could be attributed to Deccan Chargers, the terminated Hyderabad franchise.

Sunrisers were exceptional in their first season in 2013, making it to the playoffs. It is sponsored by the likes of WHSmith, Kingfisher, Spicejet, Garnier, and Amazon.in.

#7 Kings XI Punjab - $32 million

Remaining virtually insignificant in the title race for the past five seasons after being the semifinalists in the first, Kings XI Punjab finally seem to have found their mojo back in the ongoing seventh edition of the Indian Premier League.

KXIP was bought for $76 million by Preity Zinta, in partnership with Karan Paul (Chairman, Apeejay Surendra Group) and Mohit Burman (Chairman, Dabur). The brand value of the franchise is $32 million. Tata Motors, TK, Flying Machine, Trip Factory, Arise, and Britannia are its prime sponsors.

#6 Delhi Daredevils - $40 million

Largely struggling in the lower half of the points table, the Delhi Daredevils have been semi-finalists three times in the six seasons of the Indian Premier League. The Daredevils are the two extremes either they dominate or let others dominate them.

The franchise was bought by GMR Group, the Bangalore-based conglomerate for $84 million. The franchise is valued at $40 million. Its primary sponsors are Quickr, Idea Cellular, JustDial, The Mariott Group, and HTC.

#5 Rajasthan Royals - $45 million

Champions in the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League, the Rajasthan Royals are the eternal underdogs on paper. Known for providing opportunities to unknown, local talent, the Royals have always tended to punch well above their weights.

The franchise was purchased for $67 million by Manoj Badale, the chairman of Emerging Media Group. In 2009, Raj Kundra, in partnership with his wife Shilpa Shetty bought a share of 11.7% in the franchise. Royals are valued at $45 million, making it the fifth most valuable franchise in the IPL. The franchise is sponsored by Ultratech Cement, TCS, Integrity, Supertech, and Amity University.

#4 Royal Challengers Bangalore - $51 million

The perennial underachievers of the Indian Premier League, the Royal Challengers Bangalore, are valued at $51 million, making it the fourth most valuable franchise. Royal Challengers have qualified for the IPL final twice, in 2009 and 2011, and have once been eliminated in the playoffs (in 2010).

Owned by Vijay Mallya, through his giant conglomerate UB Group, the franchise was bought for a whopping $111.6 million, second only to the Mumbai Indians. Its prime sponsors are Huawei India, McDowells No.1, Royal Challenge, Reebok, and Kingfisher.

#3 Kolkata Knight Riders - $69 million

A champion in 2012, Kolkata Knight Riders is the third most valuable IPL franchise with a brand value of $69 million. KKR struggled to get going in the first three seasons. In 2011, Gautam Gambhir was handed over the reins of a new-look KKR side, which since has been a force to reckon with.

Shah Rukh Khan, the Bollywood superstar and the owner of Red Chillies Entertainment, bought this franchise for a price of $75 million, in partnership with Jay Mehta, Mehta Groups Chairman. Nokia, Reebok, Sansui Electric, Rose Valley and Coca Cola are the chief sponsors of the Kolkata Knight Riders.

#2 Mumbai Indians - $72 million

The reigning IPL and Champions League title-holders, Mumbai Indians are a real powerhouse team. They have been threatening to win the Indian Premier League for the past four seasons; finally securing it last season by beating the Chennai Super Kings in the final last year.

This franchise is owned by Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of RIL. The Indians are the most expensive franchise in the tournament, bought by Ambani through IndiaWin Sports, a subsidiary of RIL, for a staggering price of $111.9 million. Mumbai Indians is sponsored by Videocon, Etihad Airways, Jet Airways, DHFL, Pepsi, and Adidas.

#1 Chennai Super Kings - $72 million

Unmistakably the most successful and arguably the most controversial franchise in IPL history, Chennai Super Kings is the joint most valuable franchise (along with Mumbai Indians) in this multi-million dollar tourney with a brand value of $72 million. The Chennai franchise was bought for $91 million by India Cements.

Consistently well led by MS Dhoni, CSK has made it to the IPL finals five times in six seasons most for any team; winning the title twice and ending up runners-up thrice. Its prime sponsors include Aircel, Reebok, and Coromandel Infotech India Ltd.