Like India's $3 billion IPL cricket competition before it, people are scenting money around kabaddi, conscious of the country's huge audiences. Each team owner has paid around $10 million for franchising rights, with initial investments coming to roughly $50-60 million each. Although still minuscule by cricketing standards, player salaries have rocketed, making in a month in the league almost double what they'd ordinarily make in a year. Several teams are already founding kabaddi academies.
An international league has also launched with games to be held in Britain, the United States and Dubai. Separate from the Pro-Kabaddi League, investments in the World Kabaddi League are similarly large, with player salaries even higher at 10.5 million rupees or around $170,000.
Founded almost simultaneously, the leagues are competing for audiences. Promoters are also relying on some of India's more famous entertainment exports to glamorize the game. The owner of the Jaipur Pink Panthers, the Pro-League's first champion, is Abhishek Bacchan, one of Bollywood's highest-paid actors. His involvement ensured a large Bollywood star presence at the final. Two of the international league's teams are also owned by Bollywood actors.
