Lalit Modi was the first chairman and commissioner of the Indian Premier League.
Modi was instrumental in turning the IPL from a proposal into a major Twenty20 competition. He helped develop its commercial structure, franchise model, media strategy and high-profile player auction system before the inaugural season began in 2008.
The wording can cause confusion because several officials have held senior IPL or BCCI positions. Brijesh Patel later became IPL chairman, while Rajeev Shukla served as chairman of the IPL governing council. Neither was the league’s original chairman and commissioner. Modi held the founding leadership role and oversaw the competition during its first three seasons.
The IPL quickly became one of cricket’s most commercially powerful leagues. Modi also helped arrange the tournament’s move to South Africa in 2009 after scheduling conflicts with India’s general election created security concerns.