Handing out freebies hurts Delhi Daredevils gate-takings

The GMR Group, the owners of the Delhi Daredevils have reported a loss in ticket sales in the current IPL season. The reports come in shortly after the culture of asking for complimentary passes as opposed to going through the proper channels.

Reports from the Times of India seem to suggest that almost 42% of the attendances in each of the Delhi Daredevils games. The total capacity of the Feroz Shah Kotla is almost 37,000. Further reports suggest that the total revenue of the ticket sales has been approximately 4 to 5 Crores. However, should the sources be believed, that figure has dropped down rather significantly and is said to be between 2 to 3 Crores. While the IPL rules state that 20% of the gate takings for each franchise goes to them, the Daredevils are also stipulated to pay 22% of further gate takings to the state government.

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“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 has 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.

The Rising Pune Supergiants, who only gave away 1600 free passes, have reported ticket sales of approximately 16 Crores. These were the figures clocked from the four home games played at the Maharashtra Cricket Association thus far.

“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.