Work

Does salary disparity affect team performance in cricket? Evidence from the Indian Premier League

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We examine salary disparity and team performance using data from 11 seasons of the Indian Premier League (IPL) between 2008 and 2019. Research on corporate pay structures and professional team sports organisations has examined salary disparity and its ramifications, but the case of cricket is less explored, particularly in relation to team performance. We study the world’s largest cricket league, viz. IPL, which imposes hard budget caps making pay disparities more likely. We find evidence for equity pay theory according to which salary disparity cripples group harmony and team performance by creating a perception of inequality and jealousy among employees.

Source: IIMB Management Review

DOI: 10.1016/j.iimb.2025.100568

Authors: Deepak Srivastav, Praveen Puram, Rudra Sensarma, Anand Gurumurthy

Institutions: Flame University, Institute of Management Technology, Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode

Language: English

Topic: Sports Analytics and Performance

Subfield: Economics and Econometrics

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,200