People enjoy sports. That much is a given. It probably won’t come as a surprise then when we say that the sports industry is huge. It may, however, come as a surprise to see just how big it really is: No matter how much we tell ourselves we know it, seeing the numbers in their raw form is sure to shock, even if just a bit. That’s why we’ve compiled a brief list of some of the most profitable sports leagues outside of the U.S.
Nippon Professional Baseball (Baseball)

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The Nippon Professional Baseball league is Japan’s national baseball league, boasting an annual revenue of approximately 1.1 billion dollars. Not bad for a small island state, right? Baseball is one of Japan’s biggest sports, and the NPB has just marked its 70th season, making it pretty much a veteran league filled to the brim with its own history and unforgettable moments.
English Premier League (Soccer)

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Even if it isn’t apparent to those of us living in the U.S., soccer is absolutely huge. A total worldwide phenomenon, with the English Premier League ranking as the fifth most lucrative sports league in the world, totaling an average yearly revenue of approximately 5.3 Billion dollars, which, in laymen’s terms, is absolutely insane. The league is the most-watched soccer league in the whole world, though it only allows for teams originating from England and Wales to participate. That said, its fanbase is completely global.
Indian Premier League (Cricket)

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Let’s face it, cricket isn’t the most popular sport across the world. You won’t find many heated arguments regarding the recent results of a Cricket match in most countries. Yet the Indian Premier League is one of the fastest-growing leagues in the entire world, which makes sense given that India’s population is nearly 1.4 billion people. The sport absolutely took off in India, managing to reach a value of 6.3 billion dollars, despite its brief 47-day playing period.