Pro Kabaddi Player Contracts Explained: Salary, Auction Price, Bonuses and Other Earnings
The Pro Kabaddi League is often regarded as one of the best leagues in India and credit should be given to all stakeholders who have worked hard behind the scenes to make it popular entity. Just to understand the…
The Pro Kabaddi League is often regarded as one of the best leagues in India and credit should be given to all stakeholders who have worked hard behind the scenes to make it popular entity.
Just to understand the bifurcation around how players salary have changed over the years – could be depicted by the fact that Rakesh Kumar was most expensive player in Season 1 around 11 lakhs and the last season have Devank Dalal( pkl 12) were acquired in crores) we can clearly see how things have changed going forward.
Pro Kabaddi League players have become household names and credit should be given to all stakeholders- who have equally contributed big time to make it more memorable and iconic.
Here in this article, we will reveal Pro Kabaddi League player contracts, auction, price, bonus and many more to be shared in the below format:
- Player Contract and Base Price:
The Player Contract and Base Price for all players based on current base price across categories is shared in the below format:
A- Category A- Players in this category will be paid across 30 Lakh
B- Category B- Players in this category will be paid across 20 Lakh.
C- Category C- Players in this category will be paid across 13 Lakh
D- Category D- Players in this category will be paid across 9 Lakh
2. Salary Structure and Auction Mechanics:
E- Team Purse: Each Franchise taking part of auction, with base salary around 5 crore per season where they are expected to pick squad, around that amount.
F- Squad Limits: Every franchise must pick around 18 to 25 players including 2 to 4 overseas players per side.
G- Auction and Bidding: In this Process franchise who are take part of this auction, are expected to come up with brilliant strategy where they need to start picking players either based on base prize or above than that amount. The Players who earn more than 1 crore is often termed as “Crorepati” .
H- Final Bid Match(FBM): The Final Bid Match Card is often regarded as 3 FBM cards which every franchise stakeholders can use during the crux of the game, where they can match the highest bid of former player during auction and reclaim that player back. It all depends on how many players you have retained ahead of auction.
3. Young Player and New Player Contract:
All the players with age group around 18-22 falls into category among New Young Player Category (NYP). where those players who haven’t part of auction are involved in that list where they are signed for multi year contract ( for 2 year deals) also franchise can retain New Young player the moment their contract expire.
Most of these NYP are picked by doing well in tournaments like- New Young Player and K7 Kabaddi League.
4. Bonus and Other Earnings:
I- Match and Bonus Earnings: Individual franchise often include- performance linked incentives (bonus point threshholds, Super 10 for raiders, High 5 for defenders
J- Tournament and Prize Money: Separate from playig individual matches whenever teams win Pro Kabaddi League they are given prize money which is divided among players distributed as part of bonus.
K- Sponsorship and Endorsements: Sponsorship and Endorsements are another way player earn money, where they can engage in ads, brand sponsorships, regional advertising and social media presence.
More Details Around Pro Kabaddi Legaue:
The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) is widely regarded as one of the most successful professional sports leagues in India.
During the inaugural season in 2014, Rakesh Kumar was among the biggest names in the auction and was reportedly acquired for around ₹12.8 lakh, often rounded to approximately ₹13 lakh.
In contrast, the PKL 12 auction in 2025 saw Devank Dalal attract a bid of ₹2.205 crore from Bengal Warriorz.
This difference highlights how the financial value of leading kabaddi players has increased over time.
The rise in player prices reflects the growing commercial appeal of kabaddi, the competition between franchises for proven performers and the increasing importance of players in building a team’s identity.
However, auction prices represent only one part of a professional player’s financial journey.
Contracts, performance incentives, tournament rewards, sponsorships and personal endorsements can also contribute to their earnings.
The evolution of Pro Kabaddi League player salaries demonstrates how the sport has developed from a promising domestic competition into a major professional sporting property.
The contrast between the reported price of Rakesh Kumar in the inaugural season and Devank Dalal’s ₹2.205 crore acquisition in PKL 12 illustrates the scale of change.
Yet, the league’s long-term success cannot be measured through auction prices alone.
Better scouting, stronger grassroots pathways, professional coaching, competitive teams, sponsorship opportunities and sustained fan engagement are equally important.
For players, the objective is to convert talent into consistent performance and build a sustainable career.
For franchises, the challenge is to identify the right combination of established stars and emerging prospects while managing their budgets responsibly.
As the Pro Kabaddi League continues to evolve, player valuations, commercial opportunities and the professional environment will remain important indicators of how far the sport has progressed and how much further it can grow.
| Section | Item | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Player contracts | Category A | Base price: ₹30 lakh per player |
| Player contracts | Category B | Base price: ₹20 lakh per player |
| Player contracts | Category C | Base price: ₹13 lakh per player |
| Player contracts | Category D | Base price: ₹9 lakh per player |
| Auction mechanics | Team purse | Each franchise has a total salary purse of ₹5 crore; the usable amount varies depending on retained players |
| Auction mechanics | Player roles | Players are divided into All-Rounders, Raiders, and Defenders within each category |
| Auction mechanics | Bidding process | Franchises bid from a player’s base price upward and must build a balanced squad within the purse |
| Auction mechanics | “Crorepati” players | Players bought for more than ₹1 crore are commonly called “Crorepati” players |
| Auction mechanics | Final Bid Match (FBM) | A franchise can use an FBM card to match the highest bid for a former player and reclaim that player; availability depends on prior retention decisions |
| Squad rules | Squad size | Franchises generally build squads of around 18–25 players |
| Squad rules | Overseas players | Teams may include approximately 2–4 overseas players, subject to league regulations |
| Young players | New Young Player category | Players aged roughly 18–22 who have not entered the main auction may be signed under New Young Player arrangements |
| Young players | Contract length | NYP contracts are commonly multi-year, often around two years |
| Young players | Retention | Franchises may retain NYP players after their initial contracts expire |
| Young players | Scouting pathway | Players are often identified through grassroots competitions and tournaments such as the New Young Player programme and K7 Kabaddi League |
| Performance earnings | Match incentives | Franchises may offer bonuses for achievements such as Super 10s by raiders and High 5s by defenders |
| Performance earnings | Team prize money | Championship and tournament prize money may be distributed among players as bonuses |
| Off-field earnings | Sponsorships | Players can earn through brand endorsements, advertisements, regional campaigns, and social-media partnerships |
| Off-field earnings | Commercial value | Strong on-field performances can increase a player’s marketability and endorsement opportunities |
| Salary evolution | PKL Season 1, 2014 | Rakesh Kumar was reportedly acquired for around ₹12.8 lakh, often rounded to ₹13 lakh |
| Salary evolution | PKL Season 12, 2025 | Devank Dalal was acquired by Bengal Warriorz for ₹2.205 crore |
| Salary evolution | Approximate increase | Devank Dalal’s price was roughly 17 times Rakesh Kumar’s reported Season 1 price |
| Salary evolution | Main drivers | Franchise competition, proven performance, team-building strategy, sponsorship appeal, and stronger fan engagement |
| League success factors | Franchises | Invest in squads, coaching, scouting, marketing, and fan engagement |
| League success factors | Players | Deliver consistent performances, build rivalries, and become household names |
| League success factors | Coaches and support staff | Improve fitness, tactics, skill development, and professionalism |
| League success factors | Scouts and grassroots systems | Identify young talent through domestic tournaments and development pathways |
| League success factors | Broadcasters and sponsors | Increase reach, commercial value, production quality, and visibility |
| League success factors | Fans | Create viewership demand, atmosphere, and long-term cultural relevance |
| Key takeaway | Early PKL era | Rakesh Kumar’s reported ₹13 lakh price reflects the league’s early commercial scale |
| Key takeaway | Recent PKL era | Devank Dalal’s ₹2.205 crore acquisition reflects PKL’s growth into a major professional sports property |
| Key takeaway | Overall trend | Player valuations have risen sharply, while long-term success also depends on scouting, coaching, grassroots development, competitive balance, and fan engagement |
Frequently Asked Questions around Pro Kabaddi League Players Salaries:
Q-1. How much do Pro Kabaddi League players earn?
Answer: A PKL player’s earnings depend on their auction price, contract category, performance and popularity. Base prices range from ₹9 lakh for Category D players to ₹30 lakh for Category A players. Star players can earn over ₹1 crore, with Devank Dalal being signed by Bengal Warriorz for ₹2.205 crore in the Season 12 auction.
Apart from their salary, players can earn bonuses for achievements like Super 10s and High 5s. They may also receive a share of team prize money, along with income from sponsorships, advertisements and social-media partnerships.
Q-2. How does the PKL player auction work?
Answer: Each franchise gets a salary purse of ₹5 crore to build its squad. Players are divided into four categories based on experience and reputation, with base prices of ₹30 lakh, ₹20 lakh, ₹13 lakh and ₹9 lakh.
Teams bid for players starting from their base price. The franchise with the highest bid signs the player. Every team must create a balanced squad of raiders, defenders and all-rounders while staying within its purse.
Q-3. What is a “Crorepati” player in PKL?
Answer: A “Crorepati” player is a player bought for more than ₹1 crore in the auction. These are usually top raiders, elite defenders or experienced all-rounders who can change the result of matches.
Franchises spend heavily on such players because they bring strong performances, leadership, fan attention and commercial value. Devank Dalal’s ₹2.205 crore contract with Bengal Warriorz is an example of a Crorepati signing.
Q-4. What is the Final Bid Match card in PKL?
Answer: The Final Bid Match, or FBM, allows a franchise to bring back one of its former players. If another team wins the bidding for that player, the original franchise can use the FBM card to match the final bid and retain him.
However, the card is not available to every team in every season. Its availability depends on the franchise’s earlier retention decisions. Teams use it strategically to protect important former players from being signed by rivals.
Q- 5. How do young kabaddi players reach the PKL?
Answer: Young players usually start by playing at school, club, district and state levels. Scouts identify talented players through grassroots tournaments, junior competitions and development leagues.
Players aged around 18 to 22 who have not entered the main auction can be signed under the New Young Player category. These contracts are often for around two years, giving young athletes time to develop. Strong performances can later help them enter the main PKL auction and secure bigger contracts.
My Perspective:
Pro Kabaddi League is certainly delivering with one challenge the marketiing related to marquee event is not up to the mark.
There have been strategy which marquee event needs to change, otherwise Pro Kabaddi League would fall like deck of cards.
The Pro Kabaddi League auction has become one of the most important events in Indian sport because it determines not only team combinations but also the financial value of kabaddi players.
Since the league began in 2014, the auction has evolved from a relatively modest player market into a high-stakes event where franchises spend crores to secure raiders, defenders, and all-rounders.
In the first season, the highest individual purchase was ₹12.80 lakh, while recent auctions have seen multiple players cross the ₹1 crore mark, reflecting the league’s commercial growth and the rising profile of its athletes.
Each franchise operates within a fixed salary purse, which prevents wealthy teams from simply buying every top player.
In recent seasons, every team has had a salary purse of ₹5 crore, adjusted according to players retained before the auction.
This creates a strategic challenge: a franchise must decide whether to invest heavily in one match-winner or build a balanced squad by spreading its budget across several dependable performers.
A team that spends too much on a star raider may be left with limited resources for quality defenders, all-rounders, and bench strength.
Players are divided into categories based on experience, performance, and reputation.
Category A players carry the highest base price of ₹30 lakh, followed by Category B at ₹20 lakh, Category C at ₹13 lakh, and Category D at ₹9 lakh.
Within each category, players are further classified as raiders, defenders, or all-rounders, allowing teams to plan according to their tactical needs.
A franchise looking for explosive raiding may target a Category A raider, while another may prefer to secure young defenders at lower prices and develop them over multiple seasons.
The auction also rewards consistency and reputation.
Elite raiders often attract the biggest bids because they can change matches through Super 10s, while top defenders command strong prices for their ability to produce High 5s and contain opposition raids.
All-rounders can be especially valuable because they offer flexibility, allowing coaches to adjust combinations during a long season.
However, bidding can become emotional and competitive, and franchises sometimes pay a premium for familiar names, leadership qualities, or players who have performed well against particular opponents.
Retention rules add another layer to the process.
The Final Bid Match rule allows a team to bring back a released player by matching the final bid made by another franchise.
In Season 12, this rule was expanded so that teams could retain such a player for either one or two seasons.
This gives franchises a chance to protect important relationships and maintain squad continuity, but it also consumes a significant portion of the salary purse.
For players, the auction is life-changing. A strong bid can transform a kabaddi player’s income, visibility, and career opportunities.
Young athletes from smaller towns see the auction as proof that excellence in kabaddi can lead to financial security and national recognition.
At the same time, the system creates pressure: a player bought for a large amount is expected to deliver immediately, while an unsold or low-priced player must continue working to prove his worth.
Ultimately, the PKL auction is more than a bidding exercise; it is a marketplace that shapes careers, team identities, and the future of professional kabaddi in India.
Pro Kabaddi League financially haven’t been up to the mark, where marketers are finding it difficult to find sponsorships also there haven’t been fix scheduling around that’s biggest call thet need to resolve.
Overall Pro Kabaddi Legaue have their own problems to resolve also due to faltering decision taken by stakeholders where they need to prioritize ,fix time period needs to be created so that all the sponsors could join marquee event in the form of Title, Associate and other sponsors can extract ROI out of it.
Pro Kabaddi League Season 13 is yet to be confirmed, when it is suppose to happen it all depends whether they can resolve problems related to sponsorships or not only time will tell.